Erik ten Hag's trusted ally shuts down theory on £14m Man Utd exit agreement

Erik ten Hag’s gigantic pay out from has not softened the blow at being sacked from his dream job, .

was in the wake of the day before. He lasted two and a half years in the position, but couldn’t survive a dreadful start to the 2024/25 season which sees United 14th in the with just 11 points from nine games.

Interim manager rubbed salt into the wound by on Wednesday night, ending the club’s difficulties in front of goal in some style. Van Nistelrooy will take charge for a few more weeks, before Ruben Amorim permanently.

Ten Hag signed a new contract as United manager in the summer – a fact which meant the club had to to sack him. He and his coaching staff reportedly received a €17million (£14.3m) pay out, but Hans Kraay Jr, who knows Ten Hag from playing alongside him at De Graafschap, says that the money isn’t relevant right now.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

"I understand that he is getting €17m and then people say: 'he will go somersaulting through Manchester'," Kraay Jr told Dutch outlet . "No, he is completely, completely devastated, he is completely ruined. At the moment you don't think about money.

"That will come later. I also don't have the impression that I have to call him tomorrow to ask – 'can you still make ends meet, can you still get the groceries?' Not that, but now he's in trouble."

Speaking ahead of the game, Van Nistelrooy revealed that Ten Hag was “very disappointed” to have lost his job. He added: “I really felt that he cared and loved the club and wanted to bring this club forward and that's why we connected, and that's why he's also hurt that he had to leave but also proud of his achievements here with the two cups and obviously the history that he's leaving with that.”

Ten Hag may be hurt, but United have moved on very quickly, pushing hard to appoint Amorim. They have now agreed to pay his £8.3million release clause and further compensation to land his assistants Carlos Fernandes, Adelio Candido and Emanuel Ferro, goalkeeper coach Jorge Vital and sports scientist Paulo Barreira.

Van Nistelrooy is expected to continue as interim boss until the November international break, when Amorim will leave Sporting and take over. He is excited by the prospect of coaching in the Premier League. He said: “I think that in everyone’s life there are times when we’re doing really well, but then we want something more, maybe to prove something more.”

and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our