Ruud van Nistelrooy fixed his inquisitor with the same cold stare that will be familiar to a generation of Premier League goalkeepers.
So had he spoken to Ruben Amorim or considered setting up his team with one eye on Manchester United’s new manager taking over later this month?
‘Is he already announced?’ replied the Dutchman bluntly. ‘Obviously I won’t talk to somebody who’s not announced, that’s logical in my opinion. What the future will bring, we’ll see.’
And that’s the problem. For Van Nistelrooy. For Amorim. For the players of both clubs for the next three games, it seems.
Nobody knows quite what is going on at the moment, even though it now seems inevitable that Amorin will be confirmed as United’s sixth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is serving as Manchester United’s interim boss after Erik ten Hag’s exit
Ruben Amorim is set to be appointed, but it is unclear when his arrival will be confirmed
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co have to finally seal the deal for Amorim and bring clarity to the club
The Sporting Lisbon coach has promised to end what he called the ‘soap opera’ around United’s move to install him as Erik ten Hag’s successor at Old Trafford after Friday’s game against Estrela da Amadora. It was an appropriate turn of phrase.
Until then, no-one dare speak his name at United, hence Van Nistelrooy’s spiky response on Thursday as he held his first press conference as caretaker boss ahead of Sunday’s visit of Chelsea. He is expected to stay in charge for games against PAOK Salonika and Leicester as well.
Even if Amorim can’t start his new job until November 10, this needs sorting out. Uncertainty is never a good thing at a football club, and Amorim admitted that it has created anxiety among his players at a key stage of the season.
After Estrela, Sporting have a Champions League tie against Manchester City in Portugal on Tuesday night. It’s already been confirmed that their director of football Hugo Viana will take up a similar role at City next season.
By the time they kick-off at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, Amorim will have been named as United manager as well, with his back-room team set to join him at Old Trafford.
No wonder Sporting have driven a hard bargain in talks with United, insisting on the 39-year-old sticking around for another three games as well as wanting an additional £900,000 on top of his £8.3million release clause to let him leave for Manchester two weeks early.
When United director Sir Dave Brailsford cranked up the rumour mill by telling fans that the deal was done as he arrived at Old Trafford for Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup tie against Leicester, and the video clip circulated on social media, Sporting swiftly issued a statement to A Bola.
The Sporting Lisbon coach promised to end what he called the ‘soap opera’ around the move
Van Nistelrooy, who spoke to the media on Thursday evening, has even been left in the dark
Even though United comfortably beat Leicester, the situation creates anxiety among the squad
‘Sporting has not reached any agreement for Ruben Amorim’s departure and has not yet received any amount regarding the termination clause,’ it read.
While it’s hard to fault United for the speed with which they identified Ten Hag’s replacement and made their move, things have turned messy since Sporting received an official approach.
Amorim has recognised the need to bring some clarity to the situation as soon as possible, even if those involved in the negotiations don’t seem so keen to let the outside world know what is going on.
Meanwhile, Van Nistelrooy is stuck in the middle answering awkward questions and trying to manage a team, even though he doesn’t know if he will then revert to assistant manager and have the role he wants in the new order.
United’s last interim manager Ralf Rangnick was meant to stay on as a consultant under Ten Hag, but didn’t last five minutes once the Dutchman walked through the door in 2022.
‘We will see but it’s a contract situation I’m in,’ said Van Nistelrooy, pointedly referencing the fact that he still has a deal until the end of June 2026.
‘I go back to my assistant contract that I have here for this season and next. I’m very motivated to stay here and help the club forward, that’s my absolute goal.
‘I want to help. I want to do everything I can in my abilities, as many others do, to fight for this club. The club is in a difficult situation and it’s not where we all want it to be.’
Another reporter commented to Van Nistelrooy that he was guessing his appearance in front of the media at Carrington on Thursday meant that he will be in charge for the Chelsea game after overseeing the win over Leicester.
Ralf Rangnick, the last interim boss, was expected to stay on in an a consultant but swiftly left
‘I’m guessing that too,’ came the reply. ‘With the short term, I am in this position and I’m only thinking one thing: that’s to do the best we can for every game coming up, and that’s a big one for the Chelsea game on Sunday.’
Van Nistelrooy spoke well in difficult circumstances on Thursday. He described for the first time Ten Hag’s reaction to being sacked on Monday after both men were called into the training ground.
‘I’ve seen him on Monday here and I’ve spoken to him yesterday before the game,’ he said. ‘I really felt that he cared and loved the club and wanted to bring it forward. That’s why he’s also hurt that he had to leave, but also proud of his achievements here.’
He described a separate conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson, having long since buried the hatchet over his acrimonious departure to Real Madrid 18 years ago.
‘We spoke shortly about my situation and most of all he wished me luck before the game.
Van Nistelrooy is stuck in the middle answering awkward questions and trying to manage
‘I Ieft in 2006 – oh my God, what a long time ago! – but I have to say, it was special to come back to the club and city I liked and loved so much, and still do.’
Then there was the pride he felt giving his first team talk on Wednesday. ‘I’m standing in front of the team, telling them about what Manchester United is about, what it is to play at Old Trafford, what songs are being sung by the fans and why. You try to transmit that lovely feeling of playing for this club.’
Even so, Van Nistelrooy knows it must come to an end. And the sooner the better for everyone.