Ruud van Nistelrooy said Erik ten Hag was "hurt" to be sacked as Manchester United manager. Ten Hag was dismissed by United on Monday morning with the club 14th in the Premier League table and 21st in the Europa League.
United had won one of their last eight games under Ten Hag, who oversaw their worst league campaign in 34 years last season.
Van Nistelrooy spoke with Ten Hag on Monday and Wednesday before United's 5-2 League Cup victory over Leicester City. "Yes, I saw him Monday here and I spoke to him yesterday before the game," Van Nistelrooy said. "Obviously, very disappointed and touched because he really cared for the club. READ MORE: Van Nistelrooy outlines his plans after United appoint Amorim READ MORE: Mourinho believes United are getting the best coach in Portugal in Amorim "I said also yesterday in the first conversation we had for me to come back to the club with him I really felt that he cared and loved the club and wanted to bring this club forward and that's why we connected. "And that’s why he’s also hurt that he had to leave but also proud of his achievements here with the two cups and obviously the history that he’s leaving with that." Van Nistelrooy also spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson before the Leicester tie.
Ferguson made his first appearance at Old Trafford since it emerged he would step down as an ambassador at the end of the season.