Legendary Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has expressed concern over a possible offer to take charge of United on an interim basis, fearing that such a move would be seen as a betrayal of current manager Jens Ten Hagar, according to the Mirror.
Reports suggest that Ten Hagar could be at risk of being sacked if he loses against Villa this weekend, with Fanny seen as the most likely candidate to replace him as United's interim boss. However, Vanney does not want to be misconstrued as an opportunist and fears that people will think he joined Ten Hag's coaching staff this summer to replace the Dutchman if he fails to improve the team.
Van Nistelrooy has a history of being stabbed in the back by others in his coaching career. He previously had a heated argument with assistant coach Fred Luiten and several senior players after a season in charge at Eindhoven and accused them of colluding privately with the club's hierarchy. The experience has made Vanney wary of a similar situation happening at United.
A Dutch source revealed, "Van Nistelrooy is a man of principle. He felt betrayed at Eindhoven, so he doesn't want to be seen as the one who betrayed Ten Hag."
Vanney, who resigned as Eindhoven boss in May 2023, is currently wary of accepting United's offer to take temporary charge. The decision is not only about his personal reputation, but also about his love for soccer and his deep affection for United.
