Ruud van Nistelrooy said he would stay at Manchester United as an assistant coach! Trying to press Chelsea, Eriksen is afraid of being injured

Ahead of his side's home game against Chelsea on Sunday, United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has stressed that his side will play attacking football, be dominant in the game and try to press the ball. The 48-year-old led the team in midweek, beating Leicester City 5-2, but it was the League Cup 'Foxes' who used a substitute line-up and the Premier League clash with Chelsea was the real test.

"Of course, when we have the opportunity to play and attack, we always try to do that. I think that's what it feels like, you know to play for this club you have to lift the crowd up and that's what the fans want to see.'

Ruud van Nistelrooy played for United for five years, scoring 150 goals and is considered one of the best strikers in the club's history, and he understands what United can expect in terms of results and style of play. But he's also well aware that sometimes you have to adjust to the game. 'Obviously, there's always the intention to play like that, you have to be the dominant side in the game, that's definitely our purpose.' "But if it can't be achieved, then we have to at least find other ways to win the game and other ways to do it and see how we can achieve it on Sunday."

Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was smiling brightly at Saturday's pre-match press conference, mentioned Ten Hag's regret when he left class. 'It's difficult to see the manager leave, he's the guy who got me to join the club and, you know, he's also the guy who fights for the club and cares a lot about the club. So it's hard."

There are also questions about Vanney's own future. Again, he reiterated his desire to stay as a teaching assistant: "That's actually a good question, I've explained the situation, and the only thing I'll be in is a teaching assistant. I signed a two-year contract and the important thing for me is to feel how this time is going before I make a decision. Am I satisfied at work? I have to say that now I really enjoy the role of TA. Obviously, it's a big task to coach Manchester United and I'm in that position right now. But I see myself as an assistant coach and I'm very proud of it, I really enjoy it and I'll enjoy it again after that. Two years later, I'll have to see how things play out. Obviously, things will change, we all know that, but we can just wait and see."

If he can lead Manchester United to beat Chelsea, will he prove that he is capable of coaching? Vanney replied, "I don't think that, I'm not here to prove myself, I'm here to help. I'm doing my best here, the club is the most important thing. We need to give it our all to get the desired result on Sunday, that's my focus. Everything else is out of my mind."

As for Ten Hag's signings Ugarte and Zirkze, who have not been used well, Ruud van Nistelrooy has insisted that the two can prove their worth. Ugarte spent €60 million on Manchester United's transfer fee, while Zirkze paid €42.5 million. The two are worth more than 100 million euros, but neither has secured a starting position, Zirkze has only started four times in the Premier League, and Ugarte has only one.

Ruud van Nistelrooy first backed up compatriot Zirkze, who was still on the scoresheet in the Carabao Cup win over Leicester City. However, the interim manager said: "Joshua [Zirkze] is a young player with a lot of potential, he is a typical number nine when it comes to carrying the ball with his back, he is good at tandem attacks. He's a different type from Rasmus (Hojlund), who is more like a scoring No. 9, standing high and running behind the defenders. Joshua prefers to keep the ball and get the team running. Against Crystal Palace, I think he played well and played at his best. He has talent, he also has an age advantage, and he has a lot of room for development. We have to take care of him, give him time and he will get better and become a very good striker.'

Ruud van Nistelrooy commented: "I believe Manuel [Ugarte] will be a great player for Manchester United, he did well against Leicester City and he was the best against Fenerbahce. I think we should be cautious about players who don't jump to conclusions and only play for two or three months. It's a good signing, he's a good player, he's very professional and has a unique quality in midfield. He went from player to player, controlled the ball for us and put us in an attacking position. He's also very good with the ball and he's going to be a very good part of the club."

"Transfers are not the job of an assistant coach, but I work with Manuel every day. He's adapting and he wants to be part of the team." Ruud van Nistelrooy added: "He wants to play better for the club and he's motivated. He's getting better every day, he did well in the last game and we can build on that. Manchester United have a very thin midfield and we need him for the next games and I think he will do well.'

The Manchester Evening News revealed that the 32-year-old Danish veteran Eriksen watched from the sidelines in midweek, not because of a rotational rest, but because of a pre-match injury. It remains to be seen whether Christian Eriksen will be available for Chelsea, which will lead to further stretches in midfield options for the Red Devils, as Mason Mount and Kobe Mayno have both been injured.

Finally, Ruud van Nistelrooy was asked about the United legend's criticism of the club: "We're all just doing our job, they care about the club and want Manchester United to do better, so they're disappointed. When things don't go well for the club, they have their own opinions, and I think that's absolutely fine, I don't take it as a personal vendetta. When I met them, we had a cup of coffee together without any problems. As a former team-mate, I'm grateful to them and I'm still in touch with some of them, who have chosen a different path and stayed in football as well, and I don't think there's any problem. At the end you will be judged, the last game was good, we got positive feedback and everyone was positive. Football is like that, I don't pay attention to hype and drama. This is the world we live in right now, and it's important to stay calm and focused and do my job every day. I think the same should be true for the club."