LONDON: Manchester United pressed the ‘reset’ button again after the dismissal of Erik ten Hag, with the team now under Ruud van Nistelrooy hosting Chelsea in the English Premier League this Monday.
Ten Hag was sacked after the team’s fourth defeat in nine league games saw United now 14th in the table – 12 points behind leaders Manchester City.
Nistelrooy was appointed as interim manager until Ruben Amorim left the Portuguese club, Sporting, who is reported to be taking over at United after the international break this November.
Nistelrooy, who has scored 150 goals with United, took over the task in a positive way when he scored a 5-2 victory over Leicester City in the League Cup last Wednesday, but Chelsea are clearly not an opponent to be underestimated.
Under the management of the new manager Enzo Maresca, the young squad seems to shine for Stamford Bridge to be back in the Champions League scene.
Chelsea are currently fifth in the league with Cole Palmer the mainstay of the team after scoring seven goals and providing five assists this season.
They are also looking to improve their poor record against United – who have only lost to Chelsea once in their last 13 Premier League games.
It became the basis for Maresca to research and do ‘homework’ to analyze Nistelrooy’s management when he was in charge of PSV Eindhoven before.
“I think Ruud (who steers United). He is my friend, we play together, we were together for a year at Malaga and we still have a relationship,” said Maresca.
“We started watching some PSV games. We’ve seen a lot of Manchester United games. I’m sad for Erik and at the same time happy for Ruud. Hope I can see him this Sunday.”