Martin Keown sends clear message to Ruud van Nistelrooy after Ruben Amorim appointment

Martin Keown has urged to be an assertive presence on the touchline in his final matches as interim manager.

The Dutchman was finally told when he will be relinquishing his temporary duties, as as the new Red Devils' boss. Amorim, 39, will oversee his first match on November 24, when United travel to face Ipswich Town in the .

Van Nistelrooy, 48, will remain in charge for United's next three matches against , PAOK Athens and City. He was a picture of joy when to reach the League Cup quarter-final.

Keown has in the final matches of doomed third season. He told the legendary United forward to not shrink into a shell and make himself a tall figure on the touchline for the Red Devils.

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Speaking in his column with , Keown said: "Just as my autobiography was released this week, complete with a certain picture of me leaping over Ruud van Nistelrooy on its back cover, there he was, jumping for joy in front of us all at Old Trafford as Manchester United’s interim manager!

"Truthfully, it was refreshing to see my old mate trying to spark some life into that famous stadium which, for too long, has been zapped of all its energy. Previously, Van Nistelrooy had been very passive while working alongside Erik ten Hag.

"But not now that he has the spotlight shining on himself, until Ruben Amorim takes over."

Keown heavily criticised Van Nistelrooy's lack of energy and spark on the touchline when Ten Hag was still in situ. Speaking on talkSPORT at the start of October, the former defender said: “I’m looking at Van Nistelrooy. Is he giving everything to this manager? This manager looks very lonely on the sideline.

“Is Van Nistelrooy waiting to take over? Because it looks as if there’s going to be change taking place there.

“Is everyone adding to the group? I’m not seeing that from Van Nistelrooy. Ten Hag is just sitting there, nothing going on, no conversation.

“Pep [Guardiola] goes back and speaks to the gurus next to him. Is everybody looking in the mirror at themselves giving their best? It doesn’t look like the players are committed, it doesn’t look like the staff are particularly committed. It’s a lone man in the dugout.”

Van Nistelrooy has already made it clear that he wants to remain at Old Trafford in some capacity. It's currently unclear where, or if, the Dutchman will be included in the new manager's plans.

Amorim is bringing his coaching team: assistants Carlos Fernandes, Adelio Candido and Emanuel Ferro, goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital and sports scientist Paulo Barreira, with him to Old Trafford.

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