Van Nistelrooy reveals private chat with Sir Alex Ferguson before first Manchester United match as interim

Ruud van Nistelrooy says he spoke to Erik ten Hag and Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of his first match as interim head coach of Manchester United.

The former Dutch forward inspired United to a 5-2 victory over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night and will take charge of them for the next three matches as they wait to appoint Ruben Amorim.

There were mixed emotions for Van Nistelrooy to manage the team he worked at as assistant for Ten Hag, and he says he spoke to the recently sacked United boss ahead of his first match as interim.

“Yes, I've seen him Monday here and spoke to him yesterday before the match,” he told reporters. “I said in the first conversation we had for me to come back to the club with him I really felt that he cared, loved the club and wanted to bring this club forward and that's why we connected, it hurt he had to leave but also proud of the achievements with the club.”

Ten Hag was not the only former United manager he spoke to ahead of the match though, as Van Nistelrooy also spoke to legendary boss Ferguson ahead of the Leicester match.

Asked about his conversation with his former manager, he added: “Yes I spoke to him, he wished me luck. We spoke shortly about my situation, shortly about the team. Most of all he wished me luck for the game. It is always great to speak to him.”