Edwin van der Sar's move to Manchester United in 2005 was instigated by Ruud van Nistelrooy, who gave Sir Alex Ferguson a three-word plea to convince him to sign his Netherlands team-mate

The Dutchman left United on Monday after being let go by new head coach Ruben Amorim, who declined to keep him on as an assistant coach despite his wish. Van Nistelrooy won three and drew one of his four matches in charge.

The biggest compliment that can be paid to Ruud van Nistelrooy as he walks away from Manchester United, four months on from his return, is that there are plenty of people at the club who would have liked him to stay longer in some capacity,