Van Nistelrooy Disappointed by Man United Exit

Football - Europa League - Manchester United v PAOK - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - November 7, 2024 Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Europa League - Manchester United v PAOK - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - November 7, 2024 Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
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Van Nistelrooy Disappointed by Man United Exit

Football - Europa League - Manchester United v PAOK - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - November 7, 2024 Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Europa League - Manchester United v PAOK - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - November 7, 2024 Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)

Ruud van Nistelrooy was disappointed to leave Manchester United after his successful spell as interim coach came to an end, but the Dutchman said he understands why new manager Ruben Amorim wanted to bring his own assistants into the club.

Van Nistelrooy, who was appointed Leicester City manager at the end of last month, went unbeaten in his four games in charge at United following Erik ten Hag's dismissal, having previously served as his compatriot's assistant.

"I was disappointed, yeah, very much so, and it hurt that I had to leave," he told reporters on Monday.

"The only job I would take as an assistant was at United because of the bond that I have with the people in the club and the fans. But in the end, I got my head round it because I also understand the new manager.

"I spoke to Ruben Amorim about it, the conversation was grateful, man to man, manager to manager, and that helped a lot to move on and straightaway get into talks with new possibilities which lifted my spirits."

Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in a highly successful five-year stint at United before moving to Real Madrid, but the former striker said he has the battling qualities to help 16th-placed Leicester avoid relegation.

"People see Real Madrid, Manchester United, but my first three seasons as a professional were in Dutch football with FC Den Bosch, so I know what it's like to fight," he added.

Leicester host West Ham United in the Premier League later on Tuesday.



Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina Advance to Doha Open Quarterfinals

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 17, 2025 Jessica Pegula of the US in action during her third round match against Serbia's Olga Danilovic REUTERS/Edgar Su
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 17, 2025 Jessica Pegula of the US in action during her third round match against Serbia's Olga Danilovic REUTERS/Edgar Su
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Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina Advance to Doha Open Quarterfinals

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 17, 2025 Jessica Pegula of the US in action during her third round match against Serbia's Olga Danilovic REUTERS/Edgar Su
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 17, 2025 Jessica Pegula of the US in action during her third round match against Serbia's Olga Danilovic REUTERS/Edgar Su

Sixth-seed Jessica Pegula advanced on Wednesday to the quarterfinals of the Doha Open with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Daria Kasatkina, The Associated Press reported.
The American will next face Ekaterina Alexandrova, who beat Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-2, for a spot in the last four. Alexandrova, who is ranked 26th, had defeated top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in three sets on Tuesday, AP said.
Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, the No. 4 seed, was eliminated by Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-2. The Latvian will next play either Ons Jabeur or Sofia Kenin.
The seventh-ranked Elena Rybakina advanced by beating Rebecca Sramkova 7-6 (1), 6-2 and awaits either defending champion Iga Swiatek or Linda Noskova.
On Tuesday, Coco Gauff was eliminated by Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 7-5. The Ukrainian will next face Poland's Magda Linette.