Scoring 150 goals in 219 appearances for the Reds, the Dutchman is primed to get a standing ovation when he makes the walk from the Stretford End tunnel to the home dugout ahead of kick-off.
Almost 20 years after leaving the club, he is back at United as assistant manager.
As part of Ineos' decision to freshen up the first-team coaching set-up, Van Nistelrooy, alongside Rene Hake, was installed as one of Erik ten Hag's new assistants last month.
After being heavily linked with replacing Vincent Kompany in the top job at Burnley, the opportunity to return to Old Trafford was too good to turn down.
"When United first came in with the opportunity to become assistant manager, it was fantastic," he told MUTV. "I never thought of it. When it occurred, it was something I couldn't refuse."
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