Ruud van Nistelrooy could step in to take charge if Erik ten Hag is sacked as Manchester United boss.
The Dutchman is under huge pressure after an underwhelming start to the season and his future will likely be decided this week with the club hierarchy attending a meeting in London on Tuesday.
Erik ten Hag‘s future will be high up on the agenda for that meeting as Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Ineos and the new-look boardroom attempt to get the season back on track.
There are as many as 10 potential replacements for Ten Hag if Ineos pull the trigger and sack him, and one of them sits alongside him in the dugout.
United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy rejoined the Red Devils this summer as part of a reshuffle to the coaching staff – he is currently serving as an assistant manager to Ten Hag.
Ruud van Nistelrooy could replace Erik ten Hag
There have been clear signs that Van Nistelrooy would want the Man United job in recent weeks, and he is one of the frontrunners to take charge – even if just as an interim.
Van Nistelrooy raised eyebrows when he decided to take up an assistant role at United despite having previously held the manager job at Dutch side PSV.
It seems he could make a swift return to management if Ineos deem him the right candidate to replace Ten Hag in the Old Trafford hot seat.
Reports suggest the United players are impressed by Van Nistelrooy, and it goes without saying that he is loved and adored by the club’s fanbase for his incredible five-year stint as a player.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ended up securing the full-time manager role after impressing as an interim – Van Nistelrooy will be hoping to replicate that if he is given the chance.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s style of play at PSV
The biggest criticism of Ten Hag has been that United still lack a clear style of play and identity now three years into his reign.
The task facing the club’s hierarchy is deciding whether any of the potential replacements could implement a better style of play.
When it comes to Van Nistelrooy, the only evidence we can go off is his time at PSV, where he won the Johan Cruyff Shield and KNVB in his one year in charge.
The Athletic have unpacked how Van Nistelrooy instructed his PSV side to play, and it shows United fans exactly what to expect if he takes charge.
Their analysis concluded that Van Nistelrooy adopted a direct approach, eager to utilise a talented front line that included Johan Bakayoko, Cody Gakpo, Luuk de Jong, and Xavi Simons.
Van Nistelrooy’s team ranked poorly in terms of “patient attacks” and a high defensive line, but thrived in terms of expected goals.
Only Benfica averaged higher than PSV’s 2.2 non-penalty expected goals per 90 minutes across Europe’s top seven leagues during Van Nistelrooy’s tenure.
PSV ranked in the 98th percentile for “chance creation” and also dominated the ball having ranked in the 80th percentile for possession.
Van Nistelrooy wanted a direct attack, utilising wide players and creating plenty of chances, with a high-intensity defence that were willing to drop deep and consolidate when needed. That is what United fans can expect if Van Nistelrooy takes the reins at Old Trafford.
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