Ruud van Nistelrooy only has three more games to help coach Manchester United as head coach, but he has already named two players he believes will improve the club in the long term. Although Ruben Amorim’s appointment was confirmed on Friday, the 30-day notice period at Sporting CP means the Dutchman will remain at the helm for a further three matches.

Regardless of how the Red Devils perform against Chelsea, PAOK Thessaloniki and Leicester, Van Nistelrooy has already said that he expects to remain in the coaching staff when Amorim takes over.

But in a clear message to the Portuguese boss, he warned that any overhaul should not include exiling new signings Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee.

Uruguayan national team player Ugarte was transferred from PSG in the summer for £ 42 million, after a long pursuit of INEOS and Erik ten Hag. He is yet to show his best form and hasn’t started regularly under his former manager, but Van Nistelrooy has backed him to shine.

“I believe Manuel will be a great player for United,” he said. “He’s only been here for a few months but I think he’s a great signing. “He has very special qualities in the midfield where he can get between players, save a lot of balls and put us in attacking positions.”

Ugarte, 23, was left out of Ten Hag’s final United squad, while Casemiro and Christian Eriksen were preferred in midfield due to the defeat at West Ham. However, under the interim boss, he was included in the starting XI in the 5-2 League Cup win against Leicester three days later.

He’s not the only new club signing to come in for criticism. Joshua Zirkzee made his debut in the Premier League after being transferred from Bologna in the summer, scoring a goal in a 1-0 win over Fulham.

However, this was the Dutch international’s only goal in 14 matches this season; United’s ineptitude in front of goal undoubtedly contributed to their stuttering start. But the striker also started against Leicester and now his compatriot is backing him to perform as he gains experience.

“Josh is similar to Manuel, he is a young player with a lot of potential, so we have to take care of him, give him time,” he added. “He will get better and be a huge player for this club.

United also signed Matthijs de LigtType Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazrouai. De Ligt has been a standout starter since his arrival from Bayern Munich, but Yoro is yet to make his debut after having surgery on a foot injury shortly after leaving Lille.

Meanwhile, right-back Mazrouai was assigned to the left wing due to the injuries of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. The Moroccan was one of the new signings who did not start under Van Nistelrooy in midweek.