Ruud van Nistelrooy’s potential return to Manchester United as Erik ten Hag’s assistant would provide Marcus Rashford with a perfect role model to learn from
Paul Scholes made his feelings clear on the impact Ruud van Nistelrooy could have on Marcus Rashford, with the Dutchman’s return to Manchester United edging closer.
Ranked by many as one of the greatest strikers in the club’s history, the 47-year-old has been locked in talks over a possible return to Old Trafford as one of Erik ten Hag‘s assistant coaches, having been a target to replace Vincent Kompany as the Burnley boss.
Van Nistelrooy spent five years playing with Scholes in Manchester and certainly had an impact on the Englishman who had high praise for the ex-Dutch international. He admitted back in 2020 that the ex-striker could be the perfect role model for Rashford to become a consistently great goalscorer.
Speaking on the official Manchester United podcast, Scholes said: “I played No 10 with Ruud for a season – and I loved it. He’s just a ruthless, ruthless goalscorer. He just lived for scoring goals. Whenever he did score or didn’t score, the first thing he would do when we got on the team bus after the game was see if Thierry Henry scored.
“And if Henry had scored he wouldn’t talk to anybody for the full trip home because he was so engrossed in being the leading goalscorer, not just at United but in the league, in the world, everywhere. I loved the way Ruud finished as well. I played with some unbelievable centre forwards. You are thinking Cole, Dwight Yorke, Sheringham, Solskjaer. There are loads.
“There are some unbelievable goalscorers. But, to me, Van Nistelrooy was the best finisher.” The Red Devils legend opened up about Rashford’s capability to play up top for United, admitting that he has the ability and intelligence to lead the line for the club.
“I always remember watching Marcus in the reserve team, when he was an out and out centre forward. Sometimes I would go to games and just watch him and not really watch where the ball was. I’d look for his movement – is he clever enough to have that link with a midfield player? I think he has that.
“I was really excited when he first got into the team, a little bit luckily at first – I think there was an injury to someone. But ever since he has got into the team he has shown the talent he has got as a centre forward or a player wide on the left.”
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