RUUD VAN NISTELROOY'S importance to Manchester United's new coaching team was evident in the first game of their US tour.
Moments before kick-off against Arsenal at SoFi Stadium, United boss Erik ten Hag turned to Van Nisterooy, sat to his left, for a final pre-match chat.
To Ten Hag's right in the dug-out was his other new assistant manager, another fellow Dutchman, Rene Hake.
But it was Van Nistelrooy with whom Ten Hag had his final briefing before the game got under way.
Former Reds striker Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals in 219 appearances between 2001 and 2006, is unquestionably the most recognisable member of the club's new coaching set-up.
Now 48, Van Nistelrooy turned down the boss's job at Burnley, as well as other highprofile managerial offers, to return to United as one of Ten Hag's right-hand men.
It is a far cry from his United departure 18 years ago, when he stormed out of Old Trafford on the last day of the season after being left out of the squad by Sir Alex Ferguson, and was then sold to Real Madrid a month or so later.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 31, 2024 من Daily Mirror UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 31, 2024 من Daily Mirror UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
JACK IN THE CROCKS
Grealish among 'four or five' injury doubts [1 in Carsley squad... despite Pep insisting City star would miss double-header
ISTANBAWL FOR SORRY SPURS
Defensive mishaps and red card make it a nightmare for Big Ange
LANDING OF THE GIANT
Burgess back from Oz to make his mark with Huddersfield
Remote chance of help...
Pop-up free health centres offer aid to the uninsured amid crisis in richest country in the world
It's about time! Nuke test hero finally gets his medal
Pete, 93, is honoured Oyrs on
Timothy Spall: Wine binge & my life-saving epiphany
Star hails miracle cancer survival
Secret Covid document on priority cases
A SECRET document was drawn up during the pandemic, outlining which patients should be prioritised for care if the NHS became overwhelmed.
IF THEY'RE HERE, WE'LL FIND THEM
Search for Dodies goes on in flood-hit Spain
DRUG TRIAL FOR 'CURE' TO LUPUS
Therapy could revolutionise patients' lives
Smash driver who fled to US is jailed
His lawyer denies claims of SAS link