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With Ten Hag likely to get sacked with a bad result against Aston Villa, one of the front-runners for the job is keen to distance himself from rumours
Former Dutch international striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, now Manchester United's assistant manager, is reportedly uneasy about being perceived as someone who would betray Erik ten Hag in pursuit of the top job.
Despite being tipped as a potential interim replacement should Ten Hag be sacked, van Nistelrooy is keen to avoid any suggestion that he is manoeuvring for his boss’s downfall.
Van Nistelrooy ponders difficult choice
The former Manchester United striker, who joined Ten Hag’s coaching staff in the summer, is the favourite to step in if the Red Devils boss is shown the door amidst a run of poor results.
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However, the former Real Madrid star is reportedly anxious about being seen as an opportunist, especially given his own past experience of betrayal during his time managing PSV Eindhoven.
In his sole season as manager at PSV, van Nistelrooy felt that his assistant, Fred Rutten, along with senior players, conspired with club directors behind his back to push him out of the club.
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That betrayal led him to quit abruptly before the season’s final game, despite his team having won the Johan Cruyff Shield and qualified for the Champions League.
A source close to the situation has revealed that van Nistelrooy is principled and wary of being seen as someone who would stab Ten Hag in the back to get ahead.
Ten Hag on the brink of sack after struggles
Manchester United manager Ten Hag has found himself under intense pressure just months into the new season and is rumoured to be on his last legs after Red Devils owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe refused to back him up publicly.
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With the club sitting 14th in the Premier League after only two wins from their first six games, the Dutchman’s position has become increasingly precarious.
A late equaliser from Harry Maguire against Porto in the Europa League may have bought Ten Hag some time, but a looming tough fixture against Aston Villa could determine his fate with the Manchester United board set to meet on Monday.
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Speculation suggests that van Nistelrooy, brought in by INEOS as a possible safety net, could be called upon sooner rather than later, but, the former PSV head coach is conscious of not repeating the backstabbing experience he endured at PSV.
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