Ruud van Nistelrooy has broken his silence after Manchester United's huge decision to part ways with Erik ten Hag earlier this week.
The Red Devils icon has been placed in charge on an interim basis following the departure of Ten Hag, who was sacked on Monday following a dreadful start to the new season.
Van Nistelrooy will oversee United's Carabao Cup clash with Leicester at Old Trafford tonight.
With the Red Devils pursuing a deal for Ruben Amorim, it's unclear if the former striker will also be in the dugout for Sunday's crunch clash with Chelsea.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has broken his silence after Manchester United's huge decision to part ways with Erik ten Hag earlier this week
PA
Van Nistelrooy has now spoken for the first time since the dismissal of Ten Hag, who is already back in the Netherlands.
And the 48-year-old has confessed to having 'mixed emotions' ahead of tonight's big fixture.
Writing in United's official matchday programme, the former Real Madrid and PSV Eindhoven star said: "As I am sure everyone can imagine, I am writing these notes with a huge amount of mixed emotions.
"Erik ten Hag brought me back to Manchester United in the summer and, while I have only been part of the coaching staff here for a few months, I will always be grateful to him for giving me the opportunity, and I am saddened to see him leave.
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"Even on an interim basis, it is a great honour to manage the club I love for however long I am asked to do so.
"I promise that I will continue to give my all, in whatever capacity, to try and turn around our fortunes.
"Despite our results, I am loving being back at Old Trafford and working with the team and staff every day.
"We've seen the squad's potential at times this season, but clearly not often enough.
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"Now is the time for everyone at the club to work together, give everything and turn this season around while we have time.
"From my experiences as both a player and a coach here, I can say for sure that when players, staff and supporters pull together, Manchester United can be unstoppable."
Van Nistelrooy also insists United can set their season right.
They are winless in Europe and sit 14th in the Premier League table, meaning defeat to Leicester tonight would represent another catastrophic blow.
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ReutersYet Van Nistelrooy is confident United can turn things around.
The Red Devils icon added: "Thankfully, we have time on our side and with fixtures coming so regularly now, we also have plenty of opportunities to build up some positive momentum, starting with tonight's visit of Steve Cooper and Leicester City in the Carabao Cup.
"It will not be easy, of course. Leicester are Premier League opposition and they will also be highly motivated by the prospect of moving into the quarter-finals.
"However, every game we play is also an opportunity for us to remind everyone – ourselves included – of what this great club stands for.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has said he's grateful to Erik ten Hag for bringing him back to Man Utd back in the summer
PA"When I returned in the summer as Erik's assistant, it was because I believe that Manchester United can climb back to the levels that I knew here as a player.
"I still have that belief, but it will take time and a lot of hard work.
"The first step is to restore the winning habit, starting at Old Trafford this evening. I know first-hand the positive effect that our wonderful fans can have on the team, so please get behind the players as we fight together to move a step closer to Wembley."
