Ruben Amorim reveals real reason he axed Ruud van Nistelrooy from Man Utd coaching staff ahead of FA Cup clash

Ruben Amorim has opened up on his decision to axe Ruud van Nistelrooy from his coaching staff ahead of Friday night's FA Cup clash between Manchester United and Leicester City.

Van Nistelrooy, who joined United's coaching staff last summer alongside fellow assistant Rene Hake, was ushered into the hot seat when Erik ten Hag was sacked in October following a poor start to the season.

The Dutchman took charge of four matches across all competitions and stayed unbeaten with three wins and a draw.

It is said United players wanted the 48-year-old to remain at the club as their 'connector' after he made a huge impression with the club's leadership group, who appreciated his communication skills.

But new head coach Ruben Amorim decided against handing Van Nistelrooy a place in his backroom staff; a decision that left the former United striker "hurt" and "disappointed" following talks with the Portuguese coach.

"The moment I took over the interim job, what I said was I’m here to help United and to stay to help United, and I meant it. So I was disappointed, very much so, and it hurt I had to leave," said Van Nistelrooy in December.

"I spoke to Ruben about it, fair enough to him. I was grateful for the conversation: man to man, person to person, manager to manager. That helped me a lot to move on and straightaway get into talks about new possibilities which of course lifted my spirits."

Three months later and Van Nistelrooy will be on the Old Trafford touchline again on Friday night but this time as Leicester City manager.

Van Nistelrooy applauds the Stretford End after United's win over Leicester in November. Image credit: Getty

Ahead of the FA Cup fourth round clash, Ruben Amorim was asked about his decision to let Van Nistelrooy go, despite his experience.

"It was not a difficult situation, because it was so clear for me, I just had to explain," Amorim said. "He is a man of football and he understands this situation. I have my team and my staff. I prefer to work with a team that brought me here.

"I could keep Ruud because it was a good thing for me or a popular thing to do. But I will not put Ruud in front of my guys, no matter what.

"'Then I had to put a person like Ruud in the end of the hierarchy on my staff, and I think that was not fair on Ruud.

"To show respect to Ruud, I was really clear with him. I explained I have my team and I will continue the same way, and I will not put a guy like Ruud, a legend of this club, in the end of the hierarchy in the staff.

"So was the clear decision, really simple to explain, and he took it like a class guy as he is."

Amorim is already under pressure at United. Image credit: Getty

Both Van Nistelrooy and Ten Hag have a better record than him at United this season; something Amorim responded to in the press conference.

"They were better than me in training this team. It's really hard because I'm a really proud guy, but I take this normally," he said.

"It's not awkward. He (Van Nistelrooy) knew the team and he worked with the team. I made some decisions that are really hard, to sometimes create problems, friction in the team."

Amorim added: "I'm trying to help the players see the game the way I see, to improve the performance, and also the results."