Van Nistelrooy's 'hurt' New Leicester manager stung by his enforced United exit

New Leicester manager stung by his enforced United exit

- Ben Fisher

Ruud van Nistelrooy said he was "hurt" that Ruben Amorim's arrival at Manchester United triggered his exit after a promising interim spell. Van Nistelrooy impressed during his four games in charge after the sacking of Erik ten Hag. Leicester won the race for his services, and his first game in charge of his new club is at home against West Ham tonight.

Van Nistelrooy said that although he was disappointed to leave United he quickly came to terms with his departure after amicable talks with Amorim and is ready to "work around the clock" to lift Leicester, who are a point above the relegation zone after a 4-1 defeat at Brentford. The Dutchman left Old Trafford with his reputation enhanced, "astonished" at the spike in interest.

"I was disappointed, yeah, very much so, and it hurt that I had to leave," the 48-year-old said. "The only job I would take as an assistant was at United because of the bond that I have with the people in the club and the fans. But in the end I got my head round it because I also understand the new manager. I spoke to Ruben about it, the conversation was grateful, man to man, person to person, manager to manager, and that helped a lot to move on and straightaway get into talks with new possibilities which of course lifted my spirits."