Ruud van Nistelrooy makes feelings clear about Manchester United sacking Erik ten Hag after Red Devils seal 5-2 EFL Cup win over Leicester City

Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has asserted that he was sad about Erik ten Hag getting fired earlier this Monday.

The Red Devils, who finished eighth in the Premier League table under Ten Hag in the 2023-24 campaign, decided to sack the Dutchman following a poor start to the season. They won just four and lost five of their opening 14 overall matches under the former Ajax boss.

Earlier this Wednesday (October 30), Van Nistelrooy oversaw Manchester United's 5-2 EFL Cup home triumph over Leicester City. Casemiro bagged a first half brace, Bruno Fernandes scored once on either side of the half-time break, and Alejandro Garnacho netted once.

Following Manchester United's cup tie at Old Trafford, Van Nistelrooy was asked to share his thoughts about Ten Hag's sacking earlier this Monday. He responded (h/t Sportstar):

"The days leading up to this were with mixed feelings. [It is] sad to see Erik go... he was the one who got me here and in our first conversation, the passion he showed for the club, that's where we got connected, and it was sad to see him leave."

The Red Devils, who are currently 14th in the Premier League table with 11 points from nine matches, are reportedly close to hiring Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim. They are expected to welcome the Portuguese coach after the end of November's international break and have agreed to pay a compensation fee of over £10 million to Sporting.

Manchester United star hailed after recent win

At a post-game press conference, Ruud van Nistelrooy claimed that he was happy to witness Manchester United midfielder Casemiro score two goals. He elaborated (h/t Sportstar):

"I was delighted for Casemiro, the way he's been training and helping the team and the club. He's such an example, also to see the crowd's reaction, they also know what he's about."

Opining on Casemiro's season so far, Van Nistelrooy concluded:

"Of course, going through difficult moments, the Liverpool game, a lot of criticism, it's so hard, it's not fair, he didn’t deserve that. If you see him train and prepare for games, he's an example for us, and that was part of my celebration also."

Casemiro, 32, completed 36 of his 47 passes, recorded five shots, and won five of his 11 total duels in the EFL Cup last-16 clash against Leicester.

So far this season, Casemiro has netted thrice in 13 overall outings.