Should one of the finest young talents in European football end up at Manchester United this summer, the Premier League giants will have one of their modern day legends to thank, at least to some extent.
It was under Ruud van Nistelrooy’s tutelage, after all, that the man emerging as Manchester United’s number one centre-half target took his game to an all-new level, bridging that gap between his formative days at Carlisle United in the fourth tier and his transformation into a £75 million defensive colossus capable of going shoulder-to-shoulder with even the finest strikers the Premier League has to offer.
Van Nistelrooy spent just one season in charge of PSV during 2022/23, his rather premature departure more the result of a breakdown in relationships with the club’s bosses than a lack of on-pitch success. The legendary striker coached PSV to the Dutch cup and the Netherlands’ answer to the Community Shield, beating Ajax on both occasions.
Manchester United legend could get new manager job
That remains the only senior managerial role of his career. A return to the dugout could be on the cards, however, with Het Niewsblad reporting that Van Nistelrooy has been invited for an interview with Club Brugge. Whether he accepts remains to be seen. The Dutchman admitted recently that he would prefer to work in England or Spain.
But the success of his former Oranje team-mate Mark van Bommel – who guided Royal Antwerp to their first league title in over 50 years – could potentially convince Van Nistelrooy that the Jupiler League is the place to kick-start his managerial career after a year out of the game.
Like with Branthwaite at PSV, the one-time Premier League champion could find himself under pressure to hone the talents of another rising star on Man United’s radar should he take the chance in the Belgian capital.
Antonio Nusa, the twinkle-toed Norwegian wonderkid, has been scouted by Man United. The teenager, who also had talks with Tottenham and saw an initial £25 million move to Brentford collapse due to concerns over an injury, is one of the names under consideration by Erik ten Hag’s side as the Red Devils scout a new right winger.
Red Devils eye Antonio Nusa
Nicknamed the ‘Norwegian Neymar’ and hailed by Martin Odegaard, there is no doubting Nusa’s potential. A tally of three goals in 20 league games this season, however, is proof of how much work must still be done with regards to his end product.
So the chance to learn under Van Nistelrooy – one of hte most prolific goalscorers of the 21st century – is one Nusa can only benefit from.
Champions of Belgium 18 times, Club Brugge are the second most successful side in the country, behind only Anderlecht.
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