Former Manchester United scout Mick Brown has backed Ruud van Nistelrooy as a strong option to take charge at Old Trafford if the club decides to part ways with Erik ten Hag.
Van Nistelrooy recently returned to Manchester United as an assistant manager and has already been mentioned as a possible candidate for the main job. Brown believes the former United striker has the character, experience, and understanding of the club needed to succeed in the role.
Speaking to Football Insider, Brown praised Van Nistelrooy and described him as a top-class personality.
“Ruud van Nistelrooy has come in, and I know him, he’s a top-class person,”
Brown said.
Brown also recalled his role in bringing Van Nistelrooy to Manchester United during his playing career, insisting that the Dutchman would be a brilliant fit for the club.
I was instrumental in signing Ruud. I think he’d be a brilliant fit,
he added.
However, Brown admitted that Van Nistelrooy’s full coaching impact has not yet been seen because he is still working under the instructions of the current manager. According to him, the former striker can only do what Ten Hag asks him to do for now.
The discussion around Manchester United’s future comes as Ten Hag’s own career continues to attract attention. After leaving Manchester United, the Dutchman later joined Bayer Leverkusen but was sacked after just two Bundesliga matches in charge. Reuters reported that Leverkusen dismissed him following a 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim and a 3-3 draw with Werder Bremen, despite an earlier German Cup win.
Ten Hag has also been linked with a possible return to Ajax, the club where he enjoyed some of the best years of his coaching career.
With uncertainty around Manchester United’s long-term direction, Brown believes the club may eventually have to make a major decision, especially with few outstanding managerial candidates currently available.
