Ruud van Nistelrooy makes feelings clear on quitting Leicester before Man Utd reunion
Ruud van Nistelrooy has no plans to leave Leicester City any time soon despite a disappointing January transfer window.
Ruud van Nistelrooy scotched suggestions he was ready to walk out, claimed Leicester City isn’t a club in crisis - and then named a 15-year-old in his squad for a fourth round FA Cup tie against Manchester United.
The Dutchman re-affirmed his commitment to the Foxes’ cause after a frustrating window in which he added only right-back Woyo Coulibaly to his group.
Maybe to throw inquisitors off the scent, he confirmed that teen forward Jeremy Monga (15) and Jake Evans (16) will be involved at Old Trafford.
He said: “It’s fantastic to add a 15-year-old and 16-year-old to the squad. They are going to be a part of it, even on the bench.
“These opportunities can happen for players. I worked in the Netherlands where we have always developed players. In the Eredivisie you sell them on to the bigger leagues.
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“It was great to be part of the development of Cody Gakpo, Noni Madueke, Jarrod Branthwaite, Xavi Simons, Johan Bakayoko, Ismael Saibari.
“The first thing I did here was to look at the Under-18s, the Under-21s and getting them joining in with first-team training.
“It’s not only looking outside to strengthen. If players are good enough, age doesn’t matter to me. Talent decides its pathway. Jeremy - a 15-year-old - is playing in Premier League Two.
“And not just playing, but starting and being effective in deciding games. You see a physical and mental profile that allows it.
“He has moved up to the Under-21s. He will be part of first-team training until the end of the season.
“Jake is an attacking player, he plays in all three positions up front. Plays as a nine, can come from the wing. He’s quick, powerful, has a great left foot. He can score a goal. You can see in training, he’s fearless, he takes people on.”
This isn’t necessarily a classic deflective tactic as Van Nistelrooy knew full well that Leicester’s transfer window business - signing just one defender - would be flagged.
Asked why Coulibaly was the only addition, he said: “The conversations in November before I joined the club were clear. Everything was presented to me. I was part of that along the way.
“The idea was that there were certain possiblities, but when the numbers came on the table they were different. We had to reassess, look at possibilities within that framework. The only addition is Coulibaly and we go on with this squad.
“It’s not a question of being disappointed or happy. It’s a question of reality.”
Asked if his own future at the club was compromised and pressed as to whether he will be here at the end of the season, he responded: “Of course - that’s what commitment is called.
“I don’t have to be considering these things. I knew it was going to be difficult. I looked at the players. We have to show we can be consistent. More, you cannot do. We’ll see if it’s enough at the end. I think we can do it.”
