Ruud van Nistelrooy considering joining Manchester United coaching staff

Ruud van Nistelrooy is considering a return to Manchester United as a first team coach.

Van Nistelrooy has been sounded out to join manager Erik ten Hag's backroom staff for the start of pre-season, having stepped down as coach of PSV Eindhoven last year.

United have declined to comment and reiterated their priority is to reach an agreement on a new contract with Ten Hag, with whom they say positive discussions are ongoing.

Van Nistelrooy has spoken with Burnley about their vacant managerial post. The 47-year-old assisted Ronald Koeman and then Frank de Boer in the Dutch national team before he moved into club management in 2022.

A United great, Van Nistelrooy joined the club from PSV for £19million in 2001 and plundered 150 goals in 219 games across five seasons. The Dutchman won the Premier League title, the FA Cup and the League Cup.

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Van Nistelrooy enjoyed his five years living in Manchester and has visited the city several times since he moved to Real Madrid in 2006.

Ten Hag has been flanked by assistant Mitchell van der Gaag and coach Steve McClaren since he took over at United in May 2022. Benni McCarthy also joined the coaching staff but his contract expires this summer. Eric Ramsay left United earlier this year to take charge of MLS side Minnesota United.

Van Nistelrooy won the Dutch cup with PSV in 2023. PSV regained the Eredivisie title last season under former Ajax coach Peter Bosz.