Michael Owen has tipped Ruud van Nistelrooy as a potential future gaffer for Manchester United.
The Dutch legend, 48, made a surprise return to Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag‘s assistant manager. Van Nistelrooy’s spell with Ten Hag began with an important 1-0 home victory over Fulham, but that was followed up with a crushing 2-1 away defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion, thanks to an injury-time clincher from Joao Pedro.
Earlier this year, Ten Hag’s position was from certain, but the former Ajax manager was retained by the Red Devils in the summer. However, Owen thinks the former striker could be eyed up as a manager, if Ten Hag was to depart Old Trafford, and pressure will mount once again following the nightmare conclusion at the Amex.
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In an interview with OLBG, Owen said: “It’s an interesting situation for Ruud van Nistelrooy at Manchester United, because if it’s five games, 50 games or 500 games, Erik ten Hag will go at some point. When it does happen the club will look for a new manager and because that takes time, there is often an interim coach or a caretaker while that search happens.
“So if Van Nistelrooy doesn’t leave before Ten Hag, you would think that he would get a handful of games as manager like Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick have done in the past. Even Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was temporary and he did well enough to buy himself more time and eventually they had to give him the job.
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(Image: PA)
“It doesn’t take a genius to work out that having been a manager and now being the assistant manager at his former club, Van Nistelrooy could get to manage Manchester United at some point.
“But I think at this stage he’s obviously coming to the club to help Ten Hag change their fortunes around. I don’t think he’s got eyes on that prize just yet.
“But in the future I definitely wouldn’t be surprised if he got to manage the team for a handful of games.”
(Image: PA)
Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a strong start to his managerial career at PSV. After taking over the Eredivisie giants in March 2022, he won the Dutch Cup and the Dutch Super Cup.
However, he resigned before PSV’s final match of the season last year, citing a “lack of support” within the club.