Ruud van Nistelrooy ‘wary of replacing Erik ten Hag at Man United because he doesn’t want to be seen as the man who went behind his back’

Man United assistant manager Ruud van Nistelrooy is reportedly concerned about being seen as the man who betrayed Erik ten Hag.

Ten Hag signed a new contract this summer, but is already under great pressure again after another poor start to the season.

The Red Devils sit 14th in the Premier League with just two wins from their first six games.

Harry Maguire saved a point for Ten Hag’s team in Porto on Thursday in the Europa League, a goal that may have saved the Dutchman’s job.

However, a tricky trip to Aston Villa is scheduled for Sunday afternoon and many believe Unai Emery’s men can 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 favorite to take charge in the event of Ten Hag being sacked, with the former striker expected to be given the role on an interim basis.

However, The Mirror reports that Van Nistelrooy is wary of being seen as an opportunist who merely became Ten Hag’s assistant with the aim of taking the top job.

The Old Trafford legend has had experience of this before, except he was the one on the receiving end.

Van Nistelrooy’s only previous managerial job ended in turmoil after a season in charge of PSV, when he accused assistant Fred Rutten and a number of senior players of conspiring with the club’s directors behind his back.

Van Nistelrooy became Ten Hag’s assistant in the summer and is favorite to replace him

He retired before the last match of a season in which his side won the Johan Cruyff Shield and qualified for the Champions League.

A source in the Netherlands told The Mirror: ‘Van Nistelrooy is a principled man. He felt betrayed at Eindhoven – and he will not want to be seen as the man who went behind Erik ten Hag’s back.’

There has also been speculation about tensions behind the scenes at United, with Ten Hag aware that Van Nistelrooy had been brought in by INEOS to provide him with a safe pair of hands if he was shown the door.