‘A complete surprise’: United icon reveals why he choosed his new role under Erik ten Hag

Manchester United icon Ruud van Nistelrooy has admitted that the opportunity to return to the club with Erik ten Hag was a complete surprise.

Van Nistelrooy spent five years at Old Trafford during his illustrious playing career under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson before moving into coaching in recent years.

The Dutch man spent over a year in charge of PSV Eindhoven before standing down from his role. He was then linked with Burnley after Vincent Kompany left the club to join Bayern Munich.

However, Van Nistelrooy joined Erik ten Hag coaching crew and he has now admitted that a phone call from Ten Hag changed everything.

Assistent coach Ruud van Nistelrooy during the training session ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase (Photo by Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)

“This is 100 per cent the right decision,” he told TNT Sports. “I felt a strong feeling that I want to help build United little by little back to where we feel and know where the club should be.”

He continued: “I was on a managerial track. I managed PSV, it was an unbelievable experience. I was in talks with clubs to manage and I love it [managing]. I had my staff all ready and then I had a phone call. I never even saw this as a possibility. Erik called me and talked it through. I started to love the idea.”

Van Nistelrooy has been working closely with Manchester United academy graduate Marcus Rashford since his arrival in a bid to get the forward firing again following a difficult 2023/24 campaign.

Rashford has started the season brilliantly and will be eager to impress the coaching crew and United fans across the globe.