Simon Jordan delivers scathing verdict on Ruud van Nistelrooy and says Manchester United 'are worse' since icon's return

Simon Jordan believes Manchester United fans should be wary of Ruud van Nistelrooy's interim appointment as the Red Devils have taken a turn for the worse since his arrival.

Van Nistelrooy united Erik ten Hagfrom the coaching staff in the summer, marking his return to the club where he played over 200 games and scored 150 goals as a player.

Many fans hoped that Van Nistelrooy's return to Old Trafford would coincide with an improvement in United's fortunes in front of goal, given his exploits as a player.

In contrast, the Red Devils have scored just eight goals in the Premier League, the second fewest in the entire competition.

However, Van Nistelrooy has now been elevated to the position of interim head coach as United sacked Ten Hag less than 24 hours after a 2-1 defeat to West Ham that left the club in 14th place.

However, Jordan does not believe that appointing Van Nistelrooy on a temporary basis will do much in terms of reversing United's form of late.

“If they recruited Van Nistelrooy with that in mind (to make him interim), then fair play to them,” Jordan told talkSPORT before Ten Hag's sacking.

“He is part of a coaching team that has created problems since he walked in the door.

“So, from my point of view, if you approach Van Nistelrooy to give him a chance, then you have no idea how everything should go in the first place. You must have clear visions.

“Van Nistelrooy has been brought in and there is no added value; in fact, United are worse off as a result.

“He is part of a training framework that Ten Hag is in, which he is a part of.

“There is nothing about Van Nistelrooy to suggest that he gives any indication that he should get the job, other than the fact that there is a history of Van Nistelrooy and manchester united.

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“Make a decision and find a suitable manager.”

Van Nistelrooy already has experience as a head coach after spending just over one full season in charge of Dutch side PSV.

He guided PSV to a second-place finish in the 2022-23 season along with two trophies in the form of the KNVB Cup and Johan Cruyff Cup, but left due to a perceived lack of support from the top.

But United's role, even if it is interim, will be much more scrutinized than the one he had with PSV.

Van Nistelrooy has already faced criticism since rejoining United from former rival Martin Keown, who questioned whether there were ulterior motives behind the Dutch striker's return to Old Trafford.

The former Arsenal defender sparked a massive row in 2003 when he jumped on Van Nistelrooy after he missed a penalty and received a three-game ban along with a £20,000 fine.

Keown once again attacked Van Nistelrooy following United's 3-0 defeat to Tottenham in September.

“I'm looking at Van Nistelrooy. Are you giving everything to this manager? “This manager seems very lonely on the sidelines,” Keown told talkSPORT.

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“Is Van Nistelrooy waiting to take over? Because it seems like changes are going to happen there.

He added: “Is everyone joining the group? I don't see that from Van Nistelrooy. Ten Hag is sitting there, nothing happens, there is no conversation. Pep goes back and talks to the gurus next to him.

“Is everyone looking in the mirror doing their best?”

Keown added: “It doesn't seem like the players are engaged, it doesn't seem like the staff are particularly engaged. “He's a lonely man on the bench.”