Erik ten Hag contacts Manchester United legend about returning to Old Trafford

Erik ten Hag has contacted Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy to discuss a possible return to Old Trafford as part of his coaching staff.

Van Nistelrooy established himself as one of United’s greatest-ever goalscorers during his spell in Manchester, scoring 150 goals in 219 appearances for the club.

The Dutchman helped Manchester United win the Premier League in 2003 and two domestic trophies over the next two years before enjoying more individual and collective success at Real Madrid.

Since retiring in 2012, Van Nistelrooy has had several coaching stints in Holland and twice been assistant manager for the Netherlands national team.

The 47-year-old’s most recent gig was with Eredivisie giants PSV, who he helped win the Dutch Cup and Dutch Super Cup before leaving in May 2023 because of a ‘lack of support within the club’.

Van Nistelrooy emerged as a target for recently-promoted Premier League side Leicester City before they appointed Steve Cooper and recently-relegated Burnley following Vincent Kompany’s move to Bayern Munich.

But the legendary striker could be set for an emotional return to Manchester United, with Ten Hag approaching Van Nistelrooy about joining his coaching staff at the Theatre of Dreams, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Ten Hag is set to tinker with his coaching team after United decided to stick with the ex-Ajax boss despite speculation he would be sacked after an inconsistent 2023-24 campaign.

Manchester United slumped to their lowest-ever Premier league finish under Ten Hag but ended a difficult season by beating Manchester City at Wembley to lift the FA Cup trophy.

United spoke to multiple managers about replacing Ten Hag – including former Bayern Munich and Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel – but ultimately decided to stick with the 54-year-old.

Discussing United’s decision to stick with Ten Hag, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said: ‘The coach isn’t the central issue at Manchester United.

‘It’s a sports club. It needs to be competitive, it needs a degree of intensity, but with a supportive side to it because you are dealing with players who are relatively young. It hasn’t had that type of environment historically.’

He added: ‘It will take two or three summer windows to get to a better place. I’m not confident that we’ll solve all the problems in the first transfer window.’

Ten Hag, meanwhile, revealed Manchester United’s owners admitted to him that they had spoken to Tuchel before interrupting his holiday to tell him he was keeping his job.

‘It was a turbulent season,’ Ten Hag said. ‘I was able to take a bit of a holiday. This week, United suddenly showed up on my doorstep. That they would like to continue with me.

‘In any organisation it is wise that you evaluate and that you draw your conclusions from that. Manchester United has that The new leadership then decided on this.’

On United holding talks with other managers, he continued: ‘Everyone has heard that they have spoken to several candidates. In the Netherlands, something like that is not possible and it is not even allowed.

‘You are not allowed to just talk to another club. as long as there is a current head coach. In England it is different. Manchester United have told me that they spoke with Tuchel, but they eventually came to the conclusion that they already have the best manager.’

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