Ruud van Nistelrooy has spoken of his excitement at returning to Old Trafford and greeting the Stretford End again.
The Dutchman was a totemic and heroic figure for the Reds between 2001 and 2006, plundering an astonishing 150 goals in 219 appearances and completing the clean sweep of domestic trophies.
He came back to Manchester over the summer, as one of Erik ten Hag’s two assistant managers, alongside compatriot Rene Hake.
We sat down with the pair in Los Angeles to discuss their new brief and Hake revealed his anticipation at acquainting himself with our home ground.
Ruud is already well-versed in the Theatre of Dreams experience and the reception he will get at the Fulham game a week on Friday is yet another reason to look forward to the beginning of the Premier League season.
“I can't wait to walk through that tunnel again and meet Old Trafford, sold out again, and have a little wave at the Stretford End,”he told us. “That brings back the memories and a good vibe, you know, for the lads hopefully to get a good start to the season.”
Since retiring as a player in 2013, van Nistelrooy has been developing his coaching CV and most notably won the KNVB Cup as a stint as PSV Eindhoven boss.
He couldn’t resist the lure of another go with the Reds, though, this time on the opposite side of the white line.
“It's special to be back, to be fair,”
he added.
“I mean, when United first came in with the opportunity to become assistant manager, it was fantastic.
“I never thought of it, but when it occurred, it was something that I couldn't refuse, with the role that I was going to fill.“Of course, then [I was] flying into Manchester, [seeing] Carrington and Old Trafford and town and how much changed and how much is still the same. So it's special. It's very special to be back.”
For those who have had a privileged insight into United’s training sessions, it’s clear that Ruud values the one-to-one touch.
The former Real Madrid and Hamburg striker will often seek out players for individual chats away from the main group, during breaks in drills and after them.
“On a collective level, it's important to get the different game phases into the team, what is expected in the pressing or in the build-up or in the mid-block or in all the phases of the game,”he explained, when asked about this approach. “Like clear: what do we want? How do we want the execution to be and how do we translate it into the training pitch? “I think we both are aligned with that and also with the manager, of course, and from there on you look to make an influence on individuals or units. “In the end, when we're on one page, then we are definitely the strongest. “That's our aim and it will take time, but I think we had a good start so far.”