Manchester United are making good progress with Erik ten Hag over a contract extension, with the prospect of Ruud van Nistelrooy joining the manager’s coaching staff forming an offshoot of the negotiations over a new deal.
United and Ten Hag hope to finalise a new contract soon and there is the possibility of the club’s former striker Van Nistelrooy returning to Old Trafford on the back of those discussions.
Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals in 219 games for United between 2001 and 2006, has spoken to Burnley about the vacant manager’s job at Turf Moor but the idea of a return to Old Trafford as part of Ten Hag’s staff is thought to hold particular appeal to the former United striker.
The 47-year-old has been biding his time waiting for the right opportunity to come up since resigning as PSV Eindhoven coach with one match of the 2022-23 Eredivisie season remaining, citing a lack of support.
United have still to finalise an agreement with Ten Hag but both parties are optimistic of striking a deal sooner rather than later as positive talks continue.
Van Nistelrooy’s return to Old Trafford would be contingent on Ten Hag agreeing that extension but the make-up of his backroom team is one of the topic areas that has come up in discussions.
Ten Hag has 12 months left on his existing deal and any extension is likely to be for an additional two years to June 2027 with the Dutchman keen for a show of long-term commitment from United’s hierarchy.
Other areas of discussion are thought to involve the manager’s input on transfers and the game model – or playing style and identity.
Van Nistelrooy joined United from PSV Eindhoven in 2001 and quickly established himself as a fan favourite and prolific goalscorer.
Where the potential addition of Van Nistelrooy would leave Ten Hag’s forward coach Benni McCarthy, who is out of contract at the end of the month, and other figures such as Darren Fletcher remains to be seen.
Mitchell van der Gaag and Steve McClaren currently serve as Ten Hag’s principal assistants.
United are prioritising the recruitment of at least one centre-half, a holding midfielder and a striker this summer.
They are expected to trigger the £33.8 million release clause in the contract of Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee and have already had a £43 million bid for England defender Jarrad Branthwaite rejected by Everton.