Ruud van Nistelrooy is reluctant to succeed Erik ten Hag as Manchester United manager, according to a report.
The Red Devils are on the lookout for a new man to steady the ship at Old Trafford after confirming the dismissal of Ten Hag on Monday.
Man United's decision to sack Ten Hag has been described as 'difficult and finely balanced' by the club's hierarchy, who only gave the Dutchman a new two-year contract in July.
However, a 2-1 defeat away against West Ham United in the Premier League last weekend proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Ten Hag, who has overseen just four wins in 14 matches as Man United boss across all competitions this season.
The 54-year-old departs Old Trafford after two-and-a-half years in charge and leaves the Red Devils languishing 14th in the Premier League table and 21st in the 36-team Europa League standings.
Man United have since placed Ten Hag's assistant coach Van Nistelrooy in interim charge "while a permanent head coach is recruited".
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Van Nistelrooy reluctant to 'betray' Ten Hag
Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals in 219 games during a legendary five-year spell as a player at Man United between 2001 and 2006, has already had a taste of senior management having previously taken charge of 51 matches as PSV Eindhoven boss between May 2022 and May 2023.
The 48-year-old joined Man United in the summer to become Ten Hag's number two and it has been suggested that he could step up to take the top job at Old Trafford on a full-time basis.
However, according to sources in the Netherlands, via the Daily Star, Van Nistelrooy is reluctant to replace Ten Hag permanently as he does not want to 'stab his compatriot in the back'.
Although Van Nistelrooy is said to be popular with Man United's first-team squad, he feels that succeeding Ten Hag could be seen as an act of betrayal.
Van Nistelrooy will take charge of his first game as interim boss of Man United when they welcome Leicester City to Old Trafford for a EFL Cup last-16 tie on Wednesday night.
Reports of Van Nistelrooy not wanting the permanent Man United job come at a time when Sporting Lisbon's Ruben Amorim has allegedly agreed in principle to become the club's new head coach.
Oliver Thomas
