Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes it is no surprise Leicester City’s form has not picked up under Ruud van Nistelrooy because the Dutchman was “a massive punt” by the owners.

The Foxes remain second from bottom of the table and have lost seven of the nine league games Van Nistelrooy has been in charge for.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, Sutton said: “He wasn’t part of the thought process when Leicester appointed Steve Cooper, but then because he was caretaker manager when Manchester United beat them twice, all of a sudden it’s, ‘oh, he must be good’.

“Talk about gambling. It was a massive punt. I don’t mean it in a disrespectful way to Van Nistelrooy as he had a good year at PSV and he did a good job as caretaker of United.”

Watch the full episode of Monday Night Club on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds