Ruud van Nistelrooy tells Man United stars they must follow Sir Alex Ferguson’s golden rule ahead of Chelsea clash – as club prepares for change under incoming boss Ruben Amorim

Ruud van Nistelrooy has instructed his players to adhere to a golden rule, started by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

The Dutchman continues his interim period in charge of United, who host Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, before Ruben Amorim joins from Sporting Lisbon on November 11.

Although Amorim will become United’s seventh manager since Sir Alex retired in 2013, Van Nistelrooy does not want his stars to lose sight of the Scot’s key message.

The demand comes despite 82-year-old Ferguson being axed from his £2million-a-year ambassadorial role at the club amid Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s austerity regime.

“Ferguson said: ‘Nobody is bigger than the club,’” Van Nistelrooy began.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has reminded his Manchester United stars of Sir Alex Ferguson’s golden rule: ‘No one is bigger than the club’

United returned to winning ways with a 5-2 Carabao Cup victory over Leicester in midweek

‘Anyone can shout it. But if, as Ferguson did, you give substance to your own words with every decision, every choice, things will be different.

‘Then players know: ‘This is how it works here.’ Take the interaction with supporters. Always thank people after a match, good or bad.

‘Or at hotels where we go and where there are fans. Just sign an autograph. Take a photo.

‘Ferguson demanded that we take the time to do that. I am here again now. And I encourage it in players. Do I think this is an example of an important cultural thing? Yes.

‘He is at every home game. That’s when we meet each other.

‘He also came to watch Rangers when I coached PSV Eindhoven in Glasgow in the Champions League in 2022. I really appreciated that.

‘Ferguson also openly says how nice it is that I am back. How good does he think that is? That’s nice.

‘This man has colored a very important part of my football life. It was partly thanks to him that I was able to achieve my achievements at United. He motivated, inspired and guided me through that period.’

Ferguson was recently relieved of his £2m-a-year ambassadorial role at United

United play Chelsea on Sunday afternoon and could jump into the top half of the table

Van Nistelrooy won his first interim match 5-2 against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup last 16 in midweek after Erik ten Hag was sacked with United 14th in the Premier League.

The Red Devils have not won the Premier League title since Ferguson resigned and Amorim, who has won two Portuguese crowns with Sporting Lisbon, will be hoping he does not end up in the scrap metal like others who have followed the icon.

He still has to serve a notice period at Sporting, who sit top of the table with 10 wins out of 10 – an encouraging sign for the Old Trafford faithful.

The 39-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract after United activated his £8.3million release clause.