Ruud van Nistelrooy returned to Manchester United as a coach during the summer.
The former Netherlands international had opportunities to return to management after a stint at PSV Eindhoven, but he couldn’t turn down the chance to work with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
Van Nistelrooy made an impressive start to his management career by winning the Dutch Cup in 2013. He was also linked with the Burnley job after Vincent Kompany left for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
Having resigned from his position at PSV last year, Van Nistelrooy took a break from football.
It was time for Van Nistelrooy to return to United, where he spent five years as a player. Back at a club where he was recognised as a world-class goalscorer, but attempting to restore the club to previous heights won’t be easy.
The pressure is mounting on Ten Hag after a slow start to the season and we are already reading speculation about Van Nistelrooy stepping in as manager on the interim basis, as per the Manchester Evening News.
Ten Hag faces a pivotal week at Old Trafford with back-to-back away games against FC Porto and Aston Villa and there is now a real possibility he could take charge of United, at least on an interim basis this season.
After losing 3-0 to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Ten Hag has pushed closer to the brink, and there is a growing belief that he could be sacked as the October international break begins.
It felt like a distant possibility from the moment Van Nistelrooy returned as a first-team coach in July.
It has been considered a shrewd addition to Ten Hag’s backroom staff and one that prompted a positive reaction from the dressing room.
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