Manchester United could reportedly turn to one of Erik ten Hag’s coaching team, Ruud van Nistelrooy, to replace him as manager if they end up deciding to part ways with the struggling former Ajax boss.
It’s not been a good start to the season for Ten Hag, who was arguably lucky enough to hold on to the job when he did in the summer, and it now seems the pressure is growing on the Dutch tactician following Sunday’s dire showing in a 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham.
According to the Times, one surprise name who could be in the frame for the Man Utd job would be Van Nistelrooy, who joined Ten Hag’s staff this summer, but who has experience in management after an impressive stint at PSV Eindhoven.
Still, taking the Red Devils job would be quite a step up for Van Nistelrooy, who is probably not the experienced name the club need to get them out of their current predicament.
Van Nistelrooy to replace Ten Hag as Man United manager?
At the same time, however, RVN is a United legend from his playing days at Old Trafford, and there could be some merit in giving him a chance, even if only on a short-term basis.
That initially worked out quite well when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the United job shortly after Jose Mourinho was sacked, though the club’s mistake on that occasion was hiring him permanently.
It will be interesting to see if Ten Hag can survive the next few games, and if MUFC do turn to Van Nistelrooy, it might prove to be an interesting test for this current ownership, who would perhaps do well not to get too carried away if the former Netherlands striker sparks a bit of a reaction from these players.
Even if Van Nistelrooy can give United a bit of a temporary lift, the club would surely still do well to cast the net as wide as possible and still consider other more long-term options to replace Ten Hag.