Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has warned Ruben Amorim, that he knows the Manchester United players “inside out” and doesn’t need to analyse them ahead of Friday’s FA Cup meeting.
The former United striker, coach and interim manager will make his return to Old Trafford for the first time since his departure in November, following Amorim’s appointment as Erik ten Hag’s replacement.
In the immediate aftermath of Ten Hag’s sacking, Van Nistelrooy took charge of four United games, winning three and drawing one.
He repeatedly declared his intention to remain at the club and be a member of Amorim’s backroom staff but the Portuguese coach had other ideas.
Amorim elected to work with his own coaches from Sporting Lisbon. Meanwhile, Van Nistelrooy was appointed Leicester boss in December, succeeding Steve Cooper.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Van Nistelrooy remarked [via LeicestershireLive], “It’s special to go back there. I have history as a player, as an assistant, as a caretaker.”
“My focus is on my players and my team, to get the best out of them and to show what we’re about, in the fight and in the spirit.”
The Dutchman added, “I’m glad I don’t have to analyse the Manchester United squad. I’ll leave that to Ruben. We have prepared for them and I know the squad inside out.”
Asked to give his verdict on the fact United have lost five of their last seven home games, Van Nistelrooy answered, “We have our own issues. We have to look at us.”
“I don’t believe in sequences. You can always win a game after you’ve lost a couple. We want to represent ourselves in the best way possible.”
In terms of injuries, Van Nistelrooy told reporters that there are only two or three players with “light” issues who would be assessed before the match.
United vs. Leicester kicks off at 20:00 GMT.
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
