The news that was coming for a long time but kept getting delayed finally arrived as Erik ten Hag has been sacked as Manchester United manager.
After a run of just four wins in 14 games across all competitions, the board have acted with immediate effect and sacked Erik ten Hag as Man Utd manager.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will be tasked with taking charge of the team in an interim capacity while the rest of the staff stays at the club.
United's official statement makes it clear that interim is all he'll be so while he will get the chance to stake his claim, the club probably eyes a long-term permanent appointment.
Ruben Amorim has already 'verbally agreed' to become the next Man Utd manager so he will keep a keen eye on what happens between now and his arrival.
Therefore, he has a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it so as to make an impact. Here's Ruud van Nistelrooy's immediate to-do list at Man Utd that can boost his own chances of taking the job-
Who knows, maybe United take a couple of chances they missed in the first half vs West Ham, get three points, and Ten Hag is still here?
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That wouldn't be ideal long term but Van Nistelrooy knows what happens when the team keeps missing chances and if he can get them firing in his four games and solve an issue Ten Hag couldn't in more than two years, he will do his job prospects no harm at all.
Three-pronged progression Van Nistelrooy might only have four games on his immediate plate but they are in three different competitions.
Ten Hag always said his side turned it around when it mattered and finished both seasons with trophies so it is up to the new Dutchman to keep it going.
That starts with beating Leicester City in the Carabao Cup to keep United in that competition before a home game in the Europa League against PAOK.
United have arguably already played the three toughest fixtures of the league stage so need to win their remaining five to avoid a playoff and enter the Round of 16 directly.
It starts with beating PAOK for their first win in this season's Europa League.
A PS37 million decision It shouldn't have been this way but less than three months after joining, there are already questions over Joshua Zirkzee's suitability at Old Trafford.
The answer is somewhere between "Zirkzee is not good enough" and "Zirkzee is not used correctly" because a player can't become bad overnight.
If Van Nistelrooy can unlock his fellow Dutchman and get him looking comfortable in his setup again, that would put a huge smile on the faces of his bosses.
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