Interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy caught up with his old boss Sir Alex Ferguson before leading Manchester United out for the first time at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

The Dutchman, who scored 150 United goals in his five years as a player, stepped up into the role after Erik ten Hag’s departure on Monday. Van Nistelrooy had joined Ten Hag’s team this summer, eager to help move the club forward and compete for major titles.

Serving as interim for the short term while a permanent manager is appointed, van Nistelrooy’s first game saw United score five goals in an entertaining Carabao Cup fixture at Old Trafford.

Doubles from captain Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, plus a sixth goal of the season from Alejandro Garnacho, saw the Reds progress into the quarter-finals.

Van Nistelrooy revealed to journalists in Thursday’s press conference, previewing this weekend’s Premier League game against Chelsea, that he and Sir Alex had spoken before the match.

Part one: Press conference v Chelsea Video

Press conference part one | Interim head coach Ruud answers questions on our future and a big game against Chelsea…

“Yes, I spoke to him,” he said.

“He wished me luck. We spoke shortly about my situation, shortly about the team and most of all he wished me luck for the game. It’s always great to speak to him.”

Ruud’s connection with United’s fans, as well as his former boss and teammates, has always been a bit special, and he used that link as part of his first team talk as interim head coach.

“My team talk, I’m standing in front of the team telling them about what Manchester United is about and what it is to play at Old Trafford,” he revealed.

Ruud’s grand entrance Video

Watch the moment van Nistelrooy received a wonderful ovation from the adoring Old Trafford fans…

“Telling them what songs are being sung by the fans and why. So, you try to transmit that feeling, that lovely feeling playing for this club.

“It’s a proud moment sharing that with players, and what they were transmitting on the pitch, and the way it interacted with the supporters.

“Also towards me, it was unbelievable support and it only strengthens me to do the utmost, especially short term, for Chelsea.”

Recommended:

• This Garnacho compilation is box office Video

  This Garnacho compilation is box office

  ALL THE GOALS | Impressively, Alejandro Garnacho has scored 21 times in 101 appearances! The finishes are incredible…

Back to Top

Ruud van Nistelrooy has held his first press conference as Manchester United’s interim head coach, ahead of Sunday’s Premier League blockbuster against Chelsea.

Here, you can read how the club legend answered questions from journalists at Carrington…

Guessing [as] you’re here, I guess you’re going to be leading the side on Sunday? And, beyond that, what is the situation?
“I’m guessing that too! So yes. As I said, it’s going to be a short job as an interim, that was communicated very clear and I was happy with that. I felt that I was called upon to help the club forward in this situation. Obviously, it was difficult, Erik had to leave, I was very disappointed with mixed feelings but after that, you have to switch the mindset to win because 75,000 people are waiting and celebrating and millions are watching at home. That’s what we tried to do and the same for Sunday at least, and then after that we’ll see.”

Have you spoken much to Erik since Monday?
“Yes, I’ve seen him Monday here and I spoke to him yesterday before the game. Obviously very disappointed and touched because he really cared for the club. I said also yesterday that in the first conversation we had over talks that for me to come back to the club with him, I really felt he cared and loved the club and wanted to bring the club forward and that’s why we connected. That’s why he’s also hurt that he had to leave but also proud of his achievements here with the two cups and the history he’s leaving with that.”

Part one: Press conference v Chelsea Video

Press conference part one | Interim head coach Ruud answers questions on our future and a big game against Chelsea…

Can you explain why it’s not worked out? We saw everyone in Los Angeles in the summer, there was a lot of optimism in the club, the signings came in and it seemed as though everything was aligned to go forward and it’s just not happened?
“I think in the end it’s also clear in football that it’s the results. Erik also said [that]. As you say, in pre-season, we had the new style, we were all very positive and working very hard to bring the club forward. There’s also things you can’t explain sometimes. The Brighton goal we scored, Garna via Josh in. There’s been so many games where we felt we could get a better result for the way we played. I’m talking Palace, I’m talking West Ham, talking Fenerbahce, talking Porto. But in the end we also know it’s about results this game and that’s part of our jobs.”

In terms of you, you said the ownership have said it’s short term, go in and do it. Does that mean you are expecting to leave when the new manager comes in and what does the future hold for you because you have been a manager? You could have been a manager before deciding to come back here…
“I decided to come back here for a very important reason – I’m here as an assistant to help the club forward. I’m still very motivated to do so in any capacity. As an assistant and now as an interim manager, and after that I go back to my assistant contract that I have here for this season and next. I’m very motivated to stay here and help the club forward. That’s my absolute goal.”

It’s your expectation that you will remain as an assistant manager when the new permanent manager is installed?
“We will see but it’s a contract situation that I’m in and my desire to help the club forward so I can speak to you about my side of this story and after that, when the new situation is occurring, when the new manager is signing and conversations take place, we have to see how things develop.”

Do you expect you’ll have any conversations with the new manager about your own situation but also about the squad and any tips and hints you could give him?
“Yeah of course. I want to help, I want to do everything I can in my abilities, as many others do in this club, to fight for this club. The club is in a difficult situation and it is not there where we all wanted to be but the challenge is there. That’s why I’m here. Everyone’s looking at Man United and the situation that it’s in, but it’s us as people on the floor here to do the utmost, supported by our fans. It’s a process and it’s something to work for and do everything for.”

For the next three games that you’re in charge, will you be speaking to Ruben [Amorim], because he likes to play a 3-4-3 or will this be your team for the next three games, one that you pick?
“Is he already announced or?”

I don’t know, not yet…
“So then don’t talk to somebody that’s not announced. That’s logical, in my opinion. What the future will bring, we’ll see.”

So it’s your team over the next three games?
“Of course.”

You’ve now had some time with the squad, some time under your belt as well, what do you make of the shape of the team overall and how well-equipped do you think they are for the rest of the season under new management?
“I’m thinking about preparing the team for Leicester, which we did, it was a difficult situation we were in to get a result against Leicester. Same today, here to build and evaluate the game, focus on Chelsea on Sunday. That’s the process that I’m in. With the short term I’m in this position I’m only thinking in one thing, and that’s doing the best we can for every game coming up and that’s a big one against Chelsea on Sunday.”

Do you think this group of players is good enough to challenge at the very top?
“I think what’s important and the most important is the task is getting the maximum out of these players. I think it’s a great challenge to show and push ourselves as staff and players to that level. Over a Premiership season and also all the other games we’re going to play until the end of May will give us a very good and clear picture where the club is at this moment and what the process will be towards the next season and the seasons to come. It’s a big challenge and I think everybody is convinced with this group of players that we can and have to perform better than we are at the moment. But obviously, it’s very interesting to see over the course of 38-50 games, where we can end up.”

Did you ever think, given the way you unfortunately left the club, that you would be back one day standing in that technical area where Sir Alex used to be?
“At the time, I wasn’t thinking that, to manage. I left in 2006, so a long time ago to Real Madrid and to perform and to play and to get the most out of yourself as a player. After that, you start thinking about coaching. But it was special to come back to this club and to this city that I liked and I loved so much and still do, and I enjoy it. I enjoy being around Manchester, I enjoy working with the players and staff here. There’s not many that were there when I played, but there’s a still a couple. I see familiar faces. More or less the same quantity of people from that time.”

You have a huge affinity with this club in scoring 150 goals, winning trophies and titles here. How did it compare being on the touchline last night to playing? What was the difference in the feeling, emotion and the whole mindset?
“It’s the other side of being a football player or a manager or an assistant. It’s completely opposite sides. My team talk, I’m standing in front of the team telling them about what Manchester United is about and what it is to play at Old Trafford. Telling them what songs are being sung by the fans and why. So, you try to transmit that feeling, that lovely feeling playing for this club. It’s a proud moment sharing that with players, and what they were transmitting on the pitch, and the way it interacted with the supporters. Also towards me, it was unbelievable support and it only strengthens me to do the utmost, especially short term, for Chelsea.”

I know it was a tight turnaround between the games but did you speak to Sir Alex [Ferguson] before the game last night?
“Yes, I spoke to him. He wished me luck. We spoke shortly about my situation, shortly about the team and most of all he wished me luck for the game. It’s always great to speak to him.”

The club committed around another £200 million in the summer and the manager who oversaw that is now gone two months later, the manager who’s coming in might not want a lot of those players, is there a risk that the club have dug a big hole for themselves?
“It’s something that is interesting to think about because in the end, in football it happens so much. The team, a club, is also in the process of signing players, it’s also in combination with the manager. It’s difficult to comment on that actually and what the process would be with the new manager and how important it is that the new manager is improving the squad. He has a decision to come or not to come when he sees the squad, so it’s hard for me to comment on that, but that would be the reaction from my side.”

More unmissable content:

• 90 in 20: United v Leicester Video

  90 in 20: United v Leicester

  90 IN 20 | Watch extended highlights from Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first match as our interim head coach…

• Full 90: United v Leicester Video

  Full 90: United v Leicester

  FULL 90 | In case you missed it, or want another look, here’s the match replay of our Carabao Cup tie v Leicester…

• This Garnacho compilation is box office Video

  This Garnacho compilation is box office

  ALL THE GOALS | Impressively, Alejandro Garnacho has scored 21 times in 101 appearances! The finishes are incredible…

• Choose your favourite Casemiro goal Video

  Choose your favourite Casemiro goal

  ALL THE GOALS | There are some absolute stunners among Casemiro’s 15 strikes for United! Watch them all here…

Back to Top

Ruud: I’m very motivated to help

Interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has outlined his eagerness to help Manchester United in whatever capacity going forward.

Re-joining the club as assistant manager in summer, the once-prolific striker has stepped up after the club parted ways with Erik ten Hag on Monday.

Ruud explained to journalists in a Thursday afternoon press conference that his current role will definitely be a short-term one and that he’s dedicated to entertaining the Old Trafford crowd.

“It’s going to be a short job as an interim,” van Nistelrooy said.

“That was communicated very clear and I was happy with that. I felt that I was called upon to help the club forward in this situation.

“Obviously, it was difficult, Erik had to leave, I was very disappointed with mixed feelings but after that, you have to switch the mindset to win because 75,000 people are waiting and celebrating and millions are watching at home. That’s what we tried to do and the same for Sunday at least, and then after that we’ll see.”

Ruud’s first game as interim certainly had people celebrating inside the Theatre of Dreams, as United scored five times to progress in the Carabao Cup past Leicester City.

Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes both scored twice, with the other from Alejandro Garnacho.

90 in 20: United v Leicester Video

90 IN 20 | Watch extended highlights from Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first match as our interim head coach…

“I decided to come back here for a very important reason,” Ruud explained.

“I’m here as an assistant to help the club [move] forward. I’m still very motivated to do so in any capacity. As an assistant and now as an interim manager, and after that I go back to my assistant contract that I have here for this season and next.

“I’m very motivated to stay here and help the club forward. That’s my absolute goal.”

Part one: Press conference v Chelsea Video

Press conference part one | Interim head coach Ruud answers questions on our future and a big game against Chelsea…

Questioned further on whether he’ll stay at United when a new permanent manager is appointed, Ruud reiterated his commitment to the Reds.

“We will see but it’s a contract situation that I’m in and my desire to help the club forward so I can speak to you about my side of this story and after that, when the new situation is occurring, when the new manager is signing and conversations take place, we have to see how things develop,” he said.

“I want to help, I want to do everything I can in my abilities, as many others do in this club, to fight for this club.

Ruud’s grand entrance Video

Watch the moment van Nistelrooy received a wonderful ovation from the adoring Old Trafford fans…

“The club is in a difficult situation and it is not there where we all wanted to be but the challenge is there. That’s why I’m here.

“Everyone’s looking at Man United and the situation that it’s in, but it’s us as people on the floor here to do the utmost, supported by our fans. It’s a process and it’s something to work for and do everything for.”

Recommended:

Back to Top

Manchester United return to Premier League action on Sunday, taking on Chelsea at Old Trafford.

Full 90: United v Leicester Video

FULL 90 | In case you missed it, or want another look, here’s the match replay of our Carabao Cup tie v Leicester…

HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW

Our game this Sunday (3 November) will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and is slated for a 16:30 GMT kick-off.

However, you can join us on MUTV, ManUtd.com or in the United App for exclusive pre-match build-up from 15:25 GMT, where we’ll be joined in the studio by former Reds John O’Shea and David May.

You’ll then be able to keep track of all the action with our live radio commentary, match updates and interactive content throughout the game.

Stay across our official channels after the final whistle for post-match reaction, analysis and interviews.

TEAM NEWS

Leny Yoro, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Antony were missing from the matchday squad that faced West Ham in the Premier League last weekend, while Christian Eriksen joined that list for the meeting with the Foxes. 

For the visitors, just Omari Kellyman is missing through injury. However, Chelsea will also be unable to field Jadon Sancho, due to the winger being on loan from United and therefore ineligible to face his parent club.

Maresca has been fielding almost entirely different line-ups between league and cup games this campaign, with several players rested for the 2-0 Carabao Cup reverse at Newcastle.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The last Old Trafford match-up between the Reds and Blues came in December last year, where Scott McTominay scored either side of half-time to help us to a 2-1 victory.

We faced the Blues in April at Stamford Bridge, losing 4-3 with the Londoners scoring twice in stoppage time.

United had been leading 3-2 since just beyond the hour mark, thanks to efforts from Alejandro Garnacho (2) and Bruno Fernandes, but Palmer scored a penalty in the 100th minute, before sealing his hat-trick, and Chelsea’s three points, a minute later.

Fernandes on fire Video

Bruno was at his brilliant best against Leicester – enjoy a snapshot of his display here…

LEAGUE FORM

United sit 14th in the league table, although we can close the gap on Chelsea to three points with a win.

The Blues lost their season opener to Manchester City but have fared well since, emerging victorious from five of the subsequent eight fixtures and only losing narrowly at Liverpool a fortnight ago.

Palmer has once again been the undoubted star, weighing in with seven goals and five assists, while Nicolas Jackson has also contributed six strikes to the Blues’ overall tally of 19, which is second only to league leaders Manchester City.

This Garnacho compilation is box office Video

ALL THE GOALS | Impressively, Alejandro Garnacho has scored 21 times in 101 appearances! The finishes are incredible…

OTHER PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION

There’s a full slate of games in England’s top tier this weekend. Here’s the full line-up:

SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER
Newcastle United v Arsenal (12:30 GMT)
Bournemouth v Manchester City
Ipswich Town v Leicester City
Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion
Nottingham Forest v West Ham United
Southampton v Everton
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crystal Palace (17:30 GMT)

SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa (14:00 GMT)
UNITED v Chelsea (16:30 GMT)

MONDAY 4 NOVEMBER
Fulham v Brentford (20:00 GMT)

All kick-offs are 15:00 GMT unless otherwise stated.

WINTER COAT APPEAL

Manchester United Foundation is asking fans to donate clean adult and child coats at Old Trafford ahead of our game against Chelsea, as part of our annual Winter Coat Appeal.

Click here for further details on how you can take part.

Recommended:

• 90 in 20: United v Leicester Video

  90 in 20: United v Leicester

  90 IN 20 | Watch extended highlights from Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first match as our interim head coach…

• Full 90: United v Leicester Video

  Full 90: United v Leicester

  FULL 90 | In case you missed it, or want another look, here’s the match replay of our Carabao Cup tie v Leicester…

Back to Top

How to watch and follow United Women v Arsenal

Following the international break, Manchester United are back in Women’s Super League action, welcoming Arsenal to Leigh Sports Village on Sunday.

Mark Skinner’s side are in a blistering run of form in the early part of the 2024/25 season, but the Gunners, three-time WSL winners, will likely offer a stern test.

The United boss will hope his team can carry that momentum over, despite having over two weeks without a game.

Keep scrolling to find out everything you need to know about the upcoming clash…

HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW

Our game against the Gunners has been selected for broadcast and will be shown live on BBC Two, with coverage starting at 12:15 GMT ahead of kick-off 15 minutes later.

You can also join us on MUTV, ManUtd.com and in the United App for live radio commentary, plus exclusive interactive content, build-up and reaction throughout the afternoon.

If you fancy being at the game, tickets are still available to purchase here.

TEAM NEWS

Jayde Riviere (knock), Melvine Malard (hamstring), Anna Sandberg (knee) and Evie Rabjohn (knee) were all doubts heading into the last game against Brighton & Hove Albion, and none of the quartet made the matchday squad for that game, or featured for their national sides over the international break.

Skinner will hope that the additional time away from the domestic game has given some of those injured players additional time to recover, and he may deliver some new information in his press conference ahead of the fixture on Friday.

For the visitors, Leah Williamson, Laura Wienroither and Lotte Wubben-May were all missing from their matchday squad last time out against West Ham United, along with Amanda Ilestedt, who gave birth to her daughter at the the end of August.

As with Skinner, more team news from the opposition may be revealed through interim head coach Renee Slegers’s media duties running up to the game.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Out last time facing Arsenal, sadly, ended in a 3-1 defeat at the Emirates, but our record against the Gunners at LSV is more promising.

The visitors were one of the main challengers for the league title last season, but, following a Stina Blacktenius opener, goals from Leah Galton and Melvine Malard had us in prime position to take all three points.

Those hopes were dashed just moments from the final whistle, with Cloe Lacasse levelling the game in stoppage time.

The season before that, we did emerge victorious with a slender 1-0 win, although we’ll want to keep the scorer that day, Alessia Russo, quiet this time, as the forward now leads the line for Arsenal.

CURRENT FORM

The Reds are currently unbeaten in the 2024/25 season, and have conceded just one goal in all competitions — last time out in the 1-1 draw against Brighton, with former Red Nikita Parris the scorer — so are riding high in the WSL table.

Only Manchester City, who have played one more game, and Chelsea, who have won their first four, sit above us in the table.

Arsenal have had somewhat shakier start to their campaign, with former head coach Jonas Eidevall recently resigning.

That decision was likely prompted to some degree by the club’s league form: two wins, two draws and a loss.

OTHER WSL MATCHES

There is a full slate of league games happening elsewhere this weekend. Here’s the full list:

SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER
UNITED v Arsenal (12:30 GMT)
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United
Crystal Palace v Manchester City
Brighton & Hove Albion v Leicester City
Aston Villa v Liverpool (16:30 GMT)
Everton v Chelsea (18:45 GMT)

All kick-offs 14:00 GMT unless otherwise stated.

WINTER COAT APPEAL

Manchester United Foundation is asking fans to donate clean adult and child coats at Leigh Sports Village ahead of our game against Arsenal, as part of our annual Winter Coat Appeal.

Click here for further details on how you can take part.

Recommended:

Back to Top