Manchester United are set for a big summer of change – and that doesn’t just mean the playing squad at Old Trafford.
Ineos have started making moves with Dan Ashworth now on board and Christopher Vivell following him to Manchester United.
The expectation is that Ashworth and the new-look recruitment team will lead a cohesive transfer plan at Old Trafford after years of chaos in the market.
This summer isn’t just about players coming and going though, as United are also making changes to the coaching staff around the squad.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co have decided to stick by Erik ten Hag, but his team will look very different to the last couple of seasons.
Benni McCarthy is moving on and there are lingering questions over the future of assistant coach Mitchell van der Gaag.
Ruud van Nistelrooy contract emerges
United now have a number of coaching changes lined up in an attempt to freshen up the approach under Ten Hag.
Go Ahead Eagles boss Rene Hake is set to join United, reuniting with Ten Hag having previously crossed paths at FC Twente.
Reports suggest that Dutch goalkeeping coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar – who recently left Burnley for Ajax – will be heading to United too.
The big appointment is a very familiar face though with Ruud van Nistelrooy set for an emotional return.
Reports in June suggested that Van Nistelrooy’s return to United was accelerating quickly, but no deal has been announced just yet.
Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad now report that Van Nistelrooy will be signing a two-year deal with United.
The Dutchman – who was a goal machine during his playing days with United – is still waiting for a work permit to start work, but that should be sorted soon enough.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Van Nistelrooy turned down managerial jobs
The report highlights that Van Nistelrooy has been offered a number of managerial opportunities in recent times.
Burnley were the strongest suitor, viewing Van Nistelrooy as the ideal man to come in and replace Vincent Kompany following his move to Bayern Munich.
Club Brugge fancied Van Nistelrooy too, whilst teams in Germany and Spain – countries where the former striker ended his playing career – are understood to have shown a real interest.
Yet rather than go back into management, Van Nistelrooy is now committing to two years on the United coaching staff.
If Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna are anything to go by, managerial interest is bound to come in the future for Van Nistelrooy.
It would have been easy for Van Nistelrooy to jump back into that kind of role, but he is still an inexperienced manager at senior level.
Van Nistelrooy had just one year in charge of PSV Eindhoven before resigning citing a lack of support inside the club.
Now after a year out of the game, Van Nistelrooy is ready to learn his craft a little more before becoming the main man in the dugout again – and that patient approach should be praised.
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