What Ruud van Nistelrooy did with Man Utd star during Liverpool defeat proves why his Old Trafford return was so important
Ruud van Nistelrooy showed nothing but pure class to one Manchester United star during Liverpool’s crushing 3-0 Premier League win at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The 48-year-old former Manchester United striker made his sensational return to Old Trafford in the summer as part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff.
Erik ten Hag saw a major shake-up to his United coaching staff, with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake becoming his assistant managers at the Red Devils.
Van Nistelrooy spent the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign out of management after he left PSV Eindhoven before the end of the 2022-23 season.
The United legend’s management spell at PSV Eindhoven saw him lift the Dutch Cup, but he stepped down from his duties over differences with the club’s hierarchy.
Van Nistelrooy, who was a fan favourite when he was a United player, was linked with a return to management before he took up his role under Ten Hag.
Van Nistelrooy and Man Utd star
Manchester United have won only one Premier League match this season, with the Red Devils suffering back-to-back defeats before the September international break.
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Erik ten Hag’s men suffered a further setback against Premier League rivals Liverpool, with Arne Slot’s side comfortably securing all three points.
Joshua Zirkzee made his first Premier League start for United since his summer move from Serie A side Bologna in a deal worth £36.54m.
The 23-year-old Netherlands striker made an instant impact on his debut against Fulham after he came off the bench and broke the deadlock late in the second half.
However, Zirkzee struggled to make his presence felt against Liverpool and the United striker failed to capitalise on the chances provided to him in the match.
Ten Hag withdrew Zirkzee in the 86th minute and replaced him with Christian Eriksen, with Ruud van Nistelrooy spotted comforting the player on the bench.
Footage posted on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, showed Van Nistelrooy putting his hands on Zirkzee and patting him on the shoulder when he sat down.
Ten Hag on Liverpool result
Speaking after the Liverpool match, Ten Hag insisted that United are “not happy” with the outcome and he felt his side were playing “okay” before half-time.
“I think the first half an hour was okay,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“We made a mistake in defensive organisation for the disallowed goal but we were in the game.
“It was equal, level, and then we had a great structure in building up but then made a big error and, with the quality of Liverpool, they took benefit of that.
“They took their chances so well. We have to be humble. We have to give the compliments to Liverpool but, of course, we are not happy.”
