Despite being fully aware that his time as Manchester United’s interim manager will not last long, Ruud van Nistelrooy stated on Thursday that he still anticipated to be in charge for this weekend’s Premier League match against Chelsea.

After Erik ten Hag was fired from United on Monday, former striker Van Nistelrooy took over as assistant coach, and Sporting coach Ruben Amorim is anticipated to take over as manager at Old Trafford shortly.

With a 5-2 victory over visiting Leicester City in the League Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday, the interim coach got off to a strong start.

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It was hinted at the press conference on Thursday that he would still be present for the match against Chelsea.

“I am guessing that too, so yes, it’s going to be a short job as an interim, that was communicated very clear and I was happy with that,” Van Nistelrooy told reporters.

“Obviously, it was difficult that Erik had to leave, I was very disappointed, with very mixed feelings about that, but you have to switch the mindset to win because 75,000 people are waiting and celebrating and millions are watching at home.”

Van Nistelrooy, 48, acknowledges that his new position will only last a short time, but he intends to go back to his old position if a new manager is appointed.

“I decided to come back here for a very important reason. I came as an assistant to help the club forward and I’m still very motivated to do so in any capacity,” he said.

“As an assistant, and now as an interim manager, and after that I go back to my assistant contract that I have here for this season and next.

“I’m very motivated to stay here and help the club forward, that’s my absolute goal.

” I can speak to you about my side of the story and after, when the new manager is signed and conversations take place, we have to see how things develop.”

Van Nistelrooy, while upset about the departure of compatriot Ten Hag, knows in this job it is results that matter.

United finished a disappointing eighth last season and, while an FA Cup final win over Manchester City may have helped prolong Ten Hag’s stay, four losses in the opening nine league games leaving his side 14th ultimately proved his downfall.

“In the end, it is also clear in football that it is the results and Erik also said, in pre-season we had new staff and all were very positive and all working hard to bring the club forward,” Van Nistelrooy said.

“There are things you can’t explain sometimes.

” So many games we felt we could get a better result, talking Crystal Palace, West Ham, Porto, Fenerbahce (in the Europa League), but we also know it is about results and that is part of our job.”

According to reports, United and Sporting are still in talks.

Amorim stated that he would not release any updates until after his team’s next game on Friday, and Van Nistelrooy also did not reveal anything when questioned about the Portuguese coach.

“Is he already announced? So we don’t know,” the interim manager said. “Again, what the future will bring, we will see.”