Ruud van Nistelrooy return is more than a PR move - and Man Utd duo will benefit
Manchester United's push to recruit to their coaching staff former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is more than a nostalgic PR move on the part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's new regime.
Van Nistelrooy proved to be one of the most prolific goalscorers in United's history, with 150 goals from 219 games over a five-year period, the Dutchman averaging 30 goals a season.
Given United ended last season with just 57 goals in the Premier League - the joint lowest in the top half of the table – their forwards could do with a few tips on scoring from a master of the art.
One of the aspects of Erik ten Hag's new contract with United will be a reshuffle of his coaching staff, with forwards coach Benni McCarthy unlikely to return to the club for pre-season.
That has opened the door for Van Nistelrooy to join compatriot Ten Hag at United, with Ratcliffe and his football executive team said to have endorsed the move for the return of the 47-year-old.
Van Nistelrooy's time at United may have ended in acrimony – he left Old Trafford in a rage before the last game of the 2005-06 season against Charlton, after learning he had been dropped.
That fall-out with Sir Alex Ferguson ultimately led to Van Nistelrooy's departure that summer to Real Madrid, where he continued to score at a prolific rate, with 64 goals in 96 appearances.
But Van Nistelrooy has long since made his peace with former boss Ferguson and his return to United will be seen as a smart move after such a meagre goal return for Ten Hag's side last season.
Ruud van Nistelrooy celebrates a goal for Man United
After scoring a career-best 30 goals the season before last, Marcus Rashford managed just eight last term, while £72million signing Rasmus Hojlund doubled that total in his debut campaign.
There is so much more to come from both strikers in terms of their goal output and Hojlund, in particular, could learn a great deal from Van Nistelrooy about the art of being in the right place at the right time, to find the net on a consistent basis.
Van Nistelrooy was unrivalled in terms of his movement in the six-yard box, knowing when to time his runs to perfection to get on the end of crosses and loose balls, so he could turn them over the line in predatory fashion, something Hojlund struggled with last season.
Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund will be both be hoping to benefit
Now in his 10 th season of coaching, Van Nistelrooy has built up an impressive reputation in the new phase of his career, from coaching in the youth set-up at PSV Eindhoven, assisting former Holland bosses Guus Hiddink and Ronald Koeman, to a season in charge of PSV, where he won the Dutch Cup, before resigning over a perceived lack of support.
Having turned down the chance to succeed Vincent Kompany and take over at recently-relegated Burnley, Van Nistelrooy is now set for an emotional return to United, where his expertise in the art of goalscoring could be invaluable to Erik ten Hag as he looks to put last season's turmoil behind him and vindicate the decision to keep faith with him.
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