Man United assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is reportedly concerned about being viewed as the man who betrayed Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag signed a new contract in the summer but already finds himself under huge pressure once again after another poor start to the season.
The Red Devils sit 14th in the Premier League with just two wins from their opening six matches.
Harry Maguire rescued a point for the Ten Hag’s side at Porto in the Europa League on Thursday, a goal that may well have saved the Dutchman’s job.
However, a daunting trip to Aston Villa awaits on Sunday afternoon and many believe Unai Emery’s men could put the final nail in the coffin.
Ruud van Nistelrooy does not want to be seen as the man who went behind Erik ten Hag’s back
Van Nistelrooy is the favourite to take charge in the event that Ten Hag is sacked with the former striker expected to be offered the role on an interim basis.
However, The Mirror report that Van Nistelrooy is wary of being perceived as an opportunist who only became Ten Hag’s assistant with the aim of taking the top job.
The Old Trafford legend has previous experience of this, except he was the one on the receiving end.
Van Nistelrooy’s only previous job in management ended in turmoil after a season in charge of PSV when he accused assistant Fred Rutten and several senior players of conspiring with the club’s directors behind his back in the spring of 2023.
Van Nistelrooy became Ten Hag’s assistant in the summer and is favourite to replace him
The Dutchman quit before the final game of a campaign in which Eindhoven had won the Johan Cruyff Shield and qualified for the Champions League.
A source in Holland told The Mirror: ‘Van Nistelrooy is a principled guy. He felt betrayed at Eindhoven – and he will not want to be viewed as the man who went behind Erik ten Hag’s back.’
