Erik ten Hag explains Ruud van Nistelrooy role at Man Utd

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Ruud van Nistelrooy has been brought back to the club for more than just coaching strikers.

Van Nistelrooy who scored 150 goals in just five years at Old Trafford as a player joined Erik ten Hag’s coaching crew this summer as the Red Devils hope to compete against the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

However, the fact that Van Nistelrooy has previously been a head coach in his own right at PSV Eindhoven has got fans confused about the role he will play under Erik ten Hag.

“He will have an impact on the strikers, but he will also work in other areas so it’s not only limited to the strikers,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports.

“I think the strikers will definitely benefit from it, but he will work in togetherness with Rene Hake to drive the team. They are two very experienced coaches who were both managers. They know how to coach a team, how to drive a team forward and to challenge the team [so] that they are ready to win games and to win trophies. We are very pleased that we have them both on board.”

Benni McCarthy was tasked with coaching United strikers last season. However, Van Nistelrooy, who will be working with Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, will also assume that role in addition to his wider responsibilities.

“He will help all the players, but in particular, of course the strikers can take benefit from him because he was such a great striker,” Ten Hag continued.

“He scored so many goals, he had so much success, so definitely he will help the strikers in different areas and definitely on the mental side, bringing over his desire to win games and by scoring goals.”