Ruud is ready for critics

RUUD van Nistelrooy is expecting a pile-on from his former Old Trafford team-mates if his Manchester United team stumble against Chelsea today.

- Steve Bates

But the interim United boss, holding the fort until Ruben Amorim arrives in eight days' time, knows it won't be personal if Roy Keane and Gary Neville put the boot in.

Van Nistelrooy, who was assistant to Erik ten Hag, still has 18 months left on his contract and hopes he will have a role to play when new head coach Amorim and his own backroom staff arrive from Sporting Lisbon.

In the meantime, he has three more games to make his own mark, starting with today's tough test against Chelsea.

But he's aware there'll be no favours from his old United pals - and he doesn't expect any.