RUUD IS STILL UP FRONT AND CENTRE...

Van Nistelrooy rarely missed as a player for United and is now Ten Had's right-hand man on the bench

- DAVID MCDONNELL

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.