RUUD DESPAIR AT United EXIT

RUUD VAN NISTELROOY has been left devastated by his Manchester United departure.

- Simon Mullock

Van Nistelrooy was hoping to be given a coaching role under new boss Ruben Amorim after returning to Old Trafford as part of Erik ten Hag's backroom staff in the summer.

But the Portuguese decided there was no place for the Dutchman after opting to bring his own trusted team with him from Sporting Lisbon.

Van Nistelrooy, the former United striker who was unbeaten in four games as interim boss following Ten Hag's sacking last month, has opted to keep his counsel over Amorim's decision.

But former Blackburn and Holland defender Andre Ooijer, who is a close friend of Van Nistelrooy and was part of the coaching team when he was in charge at PSV Eindhoven, has revealed that his mate is gutted.