Manager Erik ten Hag Explains Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Role At Manchester United

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

Fans are eagerly anticipating the influence Van Nistelrooy will have on a squad that struggled last season, especially considering his impressive record of 150 goals in just five years at Old Trafford as a player.

Ruud van Nistelrooy when he was a Manchester United player

The Dutchman has previously been a head coach in his own right at PSV Eindhoven but joins Ten Hag’s staff as an assistant alongside fellow new arrival Rene Hake.

“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 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.”

Last season, former Ajax, Porto, and West Ham United forward Benni McCarthy was responsible for United’s strikers. Van Nistelrooy will take on that role, working with Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund, and Joshua Zirkzee, alongside his broader responsibilities.

Manchester United’s new signing Joshua Zirkzee and Ruud van Nistelrooy

“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.”

Earlier in the week, former teammate, Paul Scholes, spoke positively about what he thinks Van Nistelrooy, as a winner of the Premier League and La Liga during his career, will bring.

“It’s great to have him around the squad, back at the club. Obviously, he’s done his coaching stuff and managed as well,” Scholes told ManUtd.com.

“United players who were there when they were successful; know how to win, know what it takes and, hopefully, they can transfer a bit of knowledge to these players who haven’t quite made it yet.”

Of Ten Hag’s two assistants from last season, Mitchell van der Gaag has departed from Old Trafford to pursue a head coaching career, while Steve McClaren’s role has evolved into that of a senior first-team coach.