Rio Ferdinand disagrees with Ruben Amorim’s first major decision at Manchester United

Ruben Amorim is only one day into his role as Manchester United head coach and he has already made a big decision in dismissing Ruud van Nistelrooy from the coaching staff.

Van Nistelrooy took charge of four matches as interim manager following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, but was told on Monday that his services were no longer required.

This would have come as a blow to Van Nistelrooy, who admitted previously that he would’ve happily worked as part of Amorim’s coaching staff. He also turned down managerial roles to become Ten Hag’s assistant in the summer.

United were unbeaten under Van Nistelrooy as caretaker manager, recording three wins and one draw. There is a feeling he stopped the rot and Amorim will be thankful for that.

The Portuguese coach arrived in Manchester on Monday along with the coaching staff he has brought from Sporting CP. He spoke to Van Nistelrooy face-to-face to inform him of his decision and will now start work to prepare for his first game in charge against Ipswich Town on November 24.

Rio Ferdinand and Owen Hargreaves question Ruben Amorim decision

Ferdinand, who played alongside Van Nistelrooy at United, has been impressed with how the Dutchman handled himself in the role.

Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the former centre-back said: “His audition couldn’t have gone any better and I think, knowing him, there was a steely determination underneath that said ‘I’m going to put myself in the best position, either to stay at the club in some capacity or someone else is going to say we need you as a manager’. He looked the part and he produced.

“The players needed that. We’re in a time where there was a lot of turbulence, the manager’s relationships with some players seemed fractured and irreversible and the fans seemed to have made their minds up that that was it. And the new manager comes in – and you always get that bounce – but this seemed a bit different from a bounce.

“The players had grown to really like him, they appreciated how he informed them of different bits and pieces – tactically, individually, as a team – and there was a genuine ‘we want to do well for this guy’.”

Owen Hargreaves weighed in with his opinion that Amorim should have kept Van Nistelrooy to give the ex-player’s perspective. He was popular amongst the players so it’s not a redundant opinion.

“They need to learn from one of the best players to ever do it,” Hargreaves said. “You don’t have to be the main guy, the coach, but he can help these guys learn the little details.”

Ferdinand said he was in “100 per cent” agreement, adding: “We’ve been sitting here waiting for a manager to connect with the players. We have one right now. Why are you going to get rid of him? The biggest sticking point and question mark will be the manager. It’ll be his decision to decide whether he keeps Ruud or not.

“It’s a hard decision, because you’re going to need a massive personality and character and confidence in what you do to say ‘I don’t care who’s next to me, I can do this’. You’ve got to work out if he’s going to be added value or a distraction.”

The manager of Manchester United should be their own man.

While keeping Van Nistelrooy would have been a popular decision, I’m sure Amorim has his reasons for cutting ties.

I’d rather Amorim in charge than Ferdinand or Hargreaves.