“It hurt” – New Leicester manager admits he was disappointed to leave Man United

Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy found his Old Trafford exit hard to swallow.

The 48-year-old cemented himself as one of the deadliest strikers in Premier League history during his five-year run with the Red Devils between 2001 and 2006.

The Dutchman returned to Carrington last summer as an assistant to Erik ten Hag. When the latter was sacked in October, the management turned to Van Nistelrooy as a short-term replacement.

The legendary bomber served as caretaker coach for four matches across all competitions, winning three and drawing one, with the team displaying encouraging signs under his guidance.

Nevertheless, the former Netherlands international had to make way upon the arrival of Ruben Amorim during the November international break.

However, the former Ream Madrid man was hurt by the outcome, as he was hoping to stay at Old Trafford and collaborate with the Portuguese tactician.

“The moment I took over the interim job what I said was I’m here to help United and to stay to help United, and I meant it,” said Van Nistelrooy while being unveiled as the new Foxes manager (via Sky Sports).

“So I was disappointed, yeah, very much so, and it hurt I had to leave.”

Ruud van Nistelrooy explains special bond with Man United

The Dutchman insisted he wouldn’t have accepted to serve as an assistant manager anywhere else.

“The only job I would take as an assistant was at United because of the bond that I have with the people in the club and the fans.

“But in the end, I got my head around it because I also understand the new manager. I’ve been in football long enough, and I’ve managed myself, that you can think of a situation, me being there, I understand.

“I spoke to Ruben about it, fair enough to him, the conversation was grateful, man to man, person to person, manager to manager, and that helped a lot to move on and straightaway get into talks with new possibilities which of course lifted my spirits.”

Amorim also praised Van Nistelrooy for the work conducted during his brief spell, crediting him for improving some of the players, particularly Amad Diallo, but had opted against keeping him as part of his technical staff.