Rio Ferdinand is hopeful that Ruud van Nistelrooy will be “honing in on some individuals” in the Manchester United first team after his return to Old Trafford.
Ruud van Nistelrooy had been on the sidelines after he left his role as PSV Eindhoven head coach before the end of the 2022-23 season.
The 48-year-old Dutchman saw success in his first major managerial role, with Van Nistelrooy leading PSV Eindhoven to the Dutch Cup in 2023.
Van Nistelrooy had been linked with clubs in England over a managerial return ahead of signing up to Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff at Old Trafford.
The United legend was appointed assistant manager under Erik ten Hag, with fellow Dutchman Rene Hake arriving at Old Trafford this summer to hold the same role.
Van Nistelrooy was part of United’s pre-season tour and the legendary Dutchman’s return to the Red Devils was warmly welcomed by fans.
Ferdinand on Van Nistelrooy and Man Utd star
Manchester United suffered defeat to Manchester City in the Community Shield on Saturday ahead of the new Premier League season.
Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench and fired United into the lead late in the second half before Bernardo Silva scored a crucial equaliser at Wembley.
Pep Guardiola’s men secured the Community Shield after beating Erik ten Hag’s United side on penalties in Saturday’s clash.
Marcus Rashford disappointed during the Community Shield defeat for United and the England international failed to find the back of the net for his side.
Rio Ferdinand is now keen for former teammate Ruud van Nistelrooy to pull Marcus Rashford to one side and tell him that he won’t have the same returns as last season.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: “Our forwards – I want to see them learning from Ruud. Ruud van Nistelrooy was an absolute devil in the box.
“He was a monster. He was an obsessive, aggressive, ruthless individual. I think Marcus, I think he can be shown that by someone like Ruud. I think that’s the job of someone like Ruud.
“He’s [Van Nistelrooy] gonna do other things for the team but I think he should be honing in on some individuals like Rashford, saying: ‘You had a season like last season, so let’s not have the same again.”
Ferdinand talks Rashford and Van Nistelrooy
Marcus Rashford’s form fell off a cliff in the 2023-24 Premier League season, with the United star only scoring seven times in 33 league appearances.
The 26-year-old Three Lions star had a resurgence in form in Ten Hag’s debut season at Old Trafford after he scored 17 times in 35 league appearances.
Ferdinand admitted that he wants to see Rashford being receptive to what Van Nistelrooy is saying in a bid to spark a turnaround in form for the United star.
“These are the conversations that should be going on,” he continued.
“I’m hoping they’re going on. I like to see that Marcus will be going: ‘Yeah, yeah, I’m there. Whatever Ruud’s saying, I’m in.’”
United will now begin their new Premier League campaign on Friday when they host Fulham at Old Trafford.
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