Manchester United held talks with Ruud van Nistelrooy last monthplaceholder image
Manchester United held talks with Ruud van Nistelrooy last month | Getty Images
The former Man Utd caretaker head coach was in attendance to watch the 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
It is just over a month since Ruben Amorim was sacked as United head coach after he questioned the lack of support and backing from the club's board. United sources denied any internal power struggle and insisted his dismissal was simply down to a lack of progress and evolution on the pitch.
United initially appointed Darren Fletcher to lead the club on a caretaker basis, while they held talks with other candidates to take charge until the end of the season. Although his official job title does not refer to an 'interim' or 'caretaker' role, Carrick has been appointed on an initial contract until the summer, when the club plan to appoint a permanent successor to Amorim.
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Van Nistelrooy back at Old Trafford
Manchester United appointed Michael Carrick as their new head coach after they held talks with three 'excellent' candidates for the role last month. United sources say the former midfielder was identified as the 'unanimous' choice ahead of former caretakers Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Carrick has already revealed he spoke to Solskjaer after being handed the job, while Van Nistelrooy was in attendance at Old Trafford on Saturday to watch the 2-0 home win over Tottenham Hotspur. The 49-year-old was spotted sitting in the director's box, just weeks after he was handed a new role after he missed out on the United job.
The United great was appointed as an assistant coach for the Dutch national side and will work alongside Ronald Koeman as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup. Van Nistelrooy officially began in the role on Sunday 1 February and ended his first full week in the job with a trip to watch his former side at the weekend.
Van Nistelrooy watched on as Dutch internationals Micky van de Ven and Xavi Simons played the entirety of the match for Tottenham, while Joshua Zirkzee featured from the bench for United. Tyrell Malacia was an unused substitute after his January exit was cancelled, while Matthijs De Ligt remains sidelined due to a back injury.
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