Van Nistelrooy arrives at Man United training as one of two new additions

Ruud van Nistelrooy is back at Manchester United as an assistant coach.

The legendary former United striker was at their Carrington training ground on Monday having agreed a deal to join Erik ten Hag‘s backroom team.

Van Nistelrooy is understood to have signed a two-year contract, with an official announcement of his return to the Premier League club expected imminently.

Rene Hake is also joining Ten Hag’s coaching team and was at Carrington on Monday morning, although both are awaiting visas so won’t be able to take any part in the session.

United players not involved in tournaments this summer, such as Euro 2024 and the Copa America, are due back for the first day of pre-season. That includes Marcus Rashford, who was left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad.

Both Van Nistelrooy and Hake have extensive experience, and have managed at the highest level in their native Netherlands.

Hake has left his role at Go Ahead Eagles, who he led to ninth in the Eredivisie last season, to join his old friend Ten Hag.

The pair previously worked together at FC Twente’s academy.

Van Nistelrooy, meanwhile, is well known to English football fans.

He famously played for Man United from 2001 to 2006, scoring 150 goals in 219 appearances for the club before signing for Real Madrid.

The Dutchman helped the club to a Premier League title, as well as an FA Cup and League Cup during his time at the club.

Having retired from playing in 2021, he went on to work at PSV Eindhoven in their academy and eventually became head coach in May 2023.

After winning the 2022–23 KNVB Cup, he resigned with one match remaining in the 2022–23 Eredivisie season, citing a lack of support at boardroom level.

He was recently interviewed for the vacant manager’s job at Burnley following Vincent Kompany’s move to Bayern Munich.

The changes to the coaching team at Man United come after it was confirmed Ten Hag will continue as boss next season, despite huge speculation over his future.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, whose INEOS purchased a 25 per cent stake in the club last season, conducted an extensive end of season review.

This also included speaking to several potential replacements for Ten Hag, including Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino.

Now United have put their faith in Ten Hag, and he is shaking things up in an attempt to transform their fortunes after their worst-ever Premier League finish last term (eighth).

Mitchell van der Gaag could well leave his role as assistant, given the two new arrivals.

United are also closing in on two new signings.

They are making progress on deals for Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee and defender Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich.

Mason Greenwood, meanwhile, will exit the club after an impressive loan spell with LaLiga club Getafe and will not return to United training as he negotiates a transfer away.

The future is less clear for Jadon Sancho, who was also loaned out last season, to Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund.