'It hurt I had to leave' – Van Nistelrooy reveals Man Utd pain

New Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has revealed his pain at leaving Manchester United but vowed to stamp his authority on the Foxes.

The former Red Devils striker replaced Steve Cooper at the King Power Stadium on Friday, signing a deal until 2027.

It comes after a four-game spell as interim manager at Old Trafford, following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, before he left when Ruben Amorim was appointed last month.

Van Nistelrooy, brought in by Ten Hag as an assistant manager in July, oversaw three wins and one draw during his four-game stint in charge at United and was initially upset over his exit.

“The moment I took over the interim job what I said was I’m here to help United and to stay to help United, and I meant it. So I was disappointed, very much so, and it hurt I had to leave,” he said.

“In the end I got my head round it because I also understand the new manager. I’m in football long enough and I’ve managed myself. I understand.

“I spoke to Ruben about it, fair enough to him, the conversation was grateful, man to man, person to person, manager to manager. That helped [me] a lot to move on and straightaway get into talks with new possibilities which of course lifted my spirits.”

Van Nistelrooy inherits a squad who struggled to bond with Cooper and have come under fire following last week’s Christmas party trip to Copenhagen, with the players told their behaviour was unacceptable.

He says he checked on their characters before taking the role and believes the players must respect his authority.

“It’s the only way you can work,” the Dutchman said. “It’s mutual respect. I also mentioned to the players yesterday that I looked at the squad and started to make phone calls about players, because in football everyone knows everyone.

“With two or three phone calls you hear stories about 20 players and for me it was important that you hear there are good characters there. That’s important, that there are good people there.

“I look at the players and how they play. I obviously don’t know them but I got general information… that they are a good bunch of people.”