“I know he chased me out of my favourite club but I have one advise for him and if he really want to succeed he’ll take it”: Ruud van Nistelrooy has offered Ruben Amorim a tactical advise which he used to performed well during his interim role at Old Trafford

Ruud van Nistelrooy claims he knows the Manchester United squad “inside out” as he aims to continue his former club’s woes.

The Dutchman takes his struggling Leicester side to Old Trafford on Friday night for a FA Cup fourth round clash. It represents the legendary ex-striker’s first return to Old Trafford since an interim spell in charge earlier this season following a coaching role.

Van Nistelrooy was appointed as a coach by Erik ten Hag last summer before taking the managerial reins following his sacking and led United to three wins from his four games in charge. Two of those victories ironically came against his current side Leicester in both the Carabao Cup and Premier League.

And he believes that experience with the Red Devils has given him a deep understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he said: “I’m glad I don’t have to analyse the Manchester United squad, I’ll leave that to Ruben [Amorim]. We have prepared for them and I know the squad inside out.”

Speaking about his return to Old Trafford, Van Nistelrooy is relishing the opportunity despite now being in the opposing dugout. He added: “It’s special to go back there.

“I have history as a player, as an assistant, as a caretaker. My focus is on my players and my team, to get the best out of them and to show what we’re about, in the fight and in the spirit.”

Ahead of his return to United, Van Nistelrooy finds himself under huge pressure. He has overseen 12 games in all competitions since replacing Steve Cooper in the East Midlands and has lost eight.

Despite the clouds seemingly lifting with a win against Tottenham, Leicester then slumped to a 4-0 humbling against Everton – a result that leaves them deep in relegation trouble. And Van Nistelrooy is determined to get his side back on track instead of focusing on his United return.

He said: “We have our own issues. We have to look at us. I don’t believe in sequences. You can always win a game after you’ve lost a couple. We want to represent ourselves in the best way possible.”

Van Nistelrooy added: “It’s always welcome [an FA Cup game]. We have time enough to recover and prepare the game. We will do our all to be at our best. It’s never a distraction. To be in this competition is a privilege. It’s a dream for every player to play there at Manchester United.”