Question marks over Ruud van Nistelrooy's role at Manchester United have grown again ahead of Ruben Amorim's arrival.
Sporting boss Amorim will join the Red Devils on November 11 after agreeing a deal to succeed Erik ten Hag as head coach last week.
Ten Hag was axed by United last Monday and Van Nistelrooy was promoted to interim manager immediately after, moving up from his role as assistant manager.
The Dutchman has indicated he would like to return to his role as assistant when Amorim joins.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has indicated he would like to stay at Old Trafford
PA
But the Portuguese coach is set to bring his own staff to the club, which could leave Van Nistelrooy out of the picture.
That is a view shared by United legend Andy Cole, who played with Van Nistelrooy at Old Trafford in 2001.
Speaking to BetFred, Cole said: “It’s difficult to say because when a new manager comes in, they’ll always want to bring in their own staff with them.
"The new manager will decide who he wants to stay and who he doesn’t.
"There’s not many coaches that stay when the manager goes and ultimately, when you stay, you eventually get moved on nine times out of ten.
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“It seems as if everybody enjoys what Ruud is doing at the club currently and I always got on well with him when we were playing together.
"So if he stays, I’ll be happy for him and if he doesn’t, I have no doubts that he’ll get himself another job after what he’s done at Manchester United.”
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Ruben Amorim is set to start his job at United on November 11
Reuters
Van Nistelrooy has steadied the ship at United since Ten Hag's departure, landing a win over Leicester in the Carabao Cup before playing out a 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday.
United take on PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday night before hosting Leicester on Sunday in the Premier League.
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That clash against the Foxes will be Van Nistelrooy's last game in charge before Amorim arrives on Monday over the international break.
It will give the 39-year-old some time to meet the players, those of whom are not with their countries at least, before taking charge of his first game on November 24.
United travel to Ipswich Town, who are managed by former Red Devils coach Kieran McKenna.
