Which former Reds are currently managers?

The Reds have a rich history in terms of ex-players taking up management at the end of their careers, particularly with Sir Alex Ferguson’s acolytes.

The likes of Roy Keane, Gordon Strachan and Bryan Robson all ventured into Premier League dugouts after playing in Sir Alex's United teams, while Henning Berg, Diego Forlan and Jaap Stam are among those who have managed overseas clubs in recent years.

Ruud will add his name to that list next term, but which ex-Reds are currently in managerial roles?

Seven of the 72 EFL clubs – almost 10 per cent – can boast Old Trafford experience at their helm, with four Championship clubs currently managed by former United players.

Mark Robins has been in situ at Coventry City since 2017, overseeing two promotions and guiding the Sky Blues to the second tier for the first time in nine seasons last summer. At the time of writing, the Midlands club are 11th in the table, just above Steve Bruce’s West Bromwich Albion.

One of the most experienced managers around, Bruce became the Baggies' boss last month - they're the 12th different English club he has taken charge of.

Towards the bottom of the Championship, Paul Ince has been tasked with saving Reading from relegation. A month on from being named interim boss alongside club legend Michael Gilkes, the former United and England midfielder has supervised an upturn in the Royals’ form and they are now five points clear of the drop zone.

It looks unlikely that our all-time leading scorer Wayne Rooney will be able to save Derby County from the drop, although that’s perhaps no surprise as the Rams have been docked 21 points for a combination of going into administration and financial irregularities.

Rooney has widely been credited with doing a great job in difficult circumstances this term and Derby would be safely ensconced in mid-table without the deductions.

In League One, Michael Appleton has been manager of Lincoln City since 2019.

Appleton only ever featured in League Cup games for United, but he has a wealth of EFL management experience, after spells with Portsmouth, Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United.

As for League Two, Mark Hughes (Bradford City) and Richie Wellens (Leyton Orient) are currently in charge of sides playing there.

Hughes has over two decades of experience under his belt and was appointed Bantams boss last month, while Orient are the fifth EFL club Wellens has managed, even though the United Academy graduate is still only 42 years old.

Looking further afield, former youth-team hotshot and Northern Ireland international David Healy has been manager of NIFL Premiership side Linfield since 2015.

One of the most successful clubs in world football in terms of silverware won, the Blues have added four league titles and three cups to their bulging trophy cabinet in Healy’s time at Windsor Park.

Finally, Phil Neville has been in charge of MLS side Inter Miami – owned by fellow Class of 92 star David Beckham – since January 2021, after previously managing England's women's team.

The Herons finished 11th, out of 14 teams, in the Eastern Conference in their inaugural campaign.