Ruud van Nistelrooy has reservations about replacing Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager, according to reports.
The Red Devils have endured a nightmare start to the season and, if they lose to Aston Villa on Sunday, could opt to relieve Ten Hag of his duties.
United go into today’s showdown sitting 14th in the Premier League table.
With just seven points to their name, only the likes of Leicester, Everton, Ipswich Town, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Wolves have less.
Man Utd news: Ruud van Nistelrooy is wary of stabbing Erik ten Hag in the back ahead of Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa
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Ten Hag was retained back in the summer after guiding United to FA Cup glory.
Yet defeat to Villa today would be catastrophic for the 54-year-old, who remains adamant he’s the best man for the job.
Van Nistelrooy currently works as Ten Hag’s assistant at Old Trafford, having returned to his former club earlier in the year.
The Mirror say the former Netherlands striker will be offered the job on an interim basis if Ten Hag is sacked.
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However, Van Nistelrooy ‘does not want to be portrayed as an opportunist’ and is worried about being seen as the man who stabbed Ten Hag in the back.
The 48-year-old previously accused assistant Fred Rutten of conspiring with PSV Eindhoven’s directors behind his own back during his time in charge of the Eredivisie side.
Van Nistelrooy then left PSV in 2023 before the final game of the campaign.
And the United icon is ‘wary’ of a similar situation unfolding at Old Trafford, with the Dutchman eager to keep supporting Ten Hag.
An insider is quoted as saying: “Van Nistelrooy is a principled guy.
“He felt betrayed at Eindhoven – and he will not want to be viewed as the man who went behind Erik ten Hag’s back.”
Other publications have claimed that United players would welcome Van Nistelrooy being given the keys to the club on a temporary basis.
When it comes to potential permanent successors to Ten Hag, the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Thomas Frank and Gareth Southgate have all been linked.
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Man Utd news: Erik ten Hag is under pressure ahead of Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa
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Meanwhile, Leon Ten Voorde is a close friend of Ten Hag’s.
And the Dutchman has admitted he feels the 54-year-old should have left United last summer after guiding the fallen giants to FA Cup glory.
“I advised him to leave last summer,” he said.
“He won the FA Cup, so you leave through the front door.
Man Utd news: Ruud van Nistelrooy is currently Erik ten Hag’s assistant at Old Trafford
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“He’s had a lot of injuries this past year. But then trainers think: ‘I can turn things around’.
“How long does United think this can go on? That question is now hanging over United and Ten Hag again.”