Paul Scholes backs Ruud van Nistelrooy for managerial place when Man United interim position ends – as Karen Carney claims No 2 position can be a ‘step backwards’

Paul Scholes and Karen Carney have backed Ruud van Nistelrooy to return to a full-time managerial role when his spell as Man United interim boss ends.

The former Man United forward rejoined the club in the summer to serve as an assistant to manager Erik ten Hag.

Van Nistelrooy took temporary charge when Ten Hag was sacked last month, but his role at the club is uncertain ahead of Ruben Amorim‘s arrival as Man United’s new head coach on November 11.

He has overseen two wins and a draw in his temporary spell in charge, which will come to an end after Man United’s Premier League home match against Leicester on Sunday.

Van Nistelrooy has remained coy on his future and admitted ahead of the 2-0 Europa League win over PAOK Salonika that he has not heard from Amorim, who is expected to bring up to five backroom staff to the club.

Ruud van Nistelrooy led Man United to a 2-0 win over PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday

Paul Scholes believes his former team-mate will ‘have the bug’ for full-time management 

Van Nistelrooy has managed two wins and a draw in his three matches as interim manager

Speaking on TNT Sports, Scholes believes his former team-mate will ‘have the bug’ to return to full-time management.

Van Nistelrooy had previously coached PSV during the 2022-23 season, where he led the team to the Dutch Cup.  

‘He just looks like a manager on the sidelines, he has that passion on the sidelines. He speaks well and is nice and relaxed, he goes about his business really well,’ Scholes said.

‘I am pretty sure he must have the bug back to be a manager, when you have done it and been successful as he was in Holland, going back to being an assistant must be quite difficult because you must be frustrated.

‘There must be certain things you want to do and you don’t agree with the manager, that you can say but it doesn’t matter because the buck stops with the manager.

‘I think Ruud now, I don’t know if he is going to stay as that will be up to those from Ineos, but I think he should be a manager.

‘Just watching him for three games, he did well in Holland winning the Dutch Cup. He looks like he is made to be a manager to me, I think he is better than just an assistant manager.

‘He looks like he has got a really good way with the players as well. He has said he has a contract for 18 months and if the powers that be still want him, then why not?’

He will take charge of Man United’s clash with Leicester ahead of Ruben Amorim’s arrival

Carney agreed with Scholes’ view, suggesting that returning to a role in Man United’s backroom staff might be a step backwards for the 48-year-old.

‘There is a certain charm and charism about him, there is a presence,’ Carney said.

‘On the sidelines he looks confident, I know it is an interim period but I am sure there is part of him that would want to be here to make that change.

‘But I do think he is a manager and being a No 2 might be a step backwards for him now. I think he is ready to go again.’