Former star striker Van Nistelrooy returns to Man United as one of its two new assistant coaches

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United hired former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy as one of its two new assistant coaches on Thursday.

Van Nistelrooy and former Go Ahead Eagles manager Rene Hake were appointed to fellow Dutchman Erik ten Hag’s backroom staff on contracts until June 2026.

“Now is a good time to refresh the coaching team as we look to build on the achievements of the past two years and push to the next level,” said Ten Hag, who was kept on by United after winning the FA Cup last season.

It marks a return to Old Trafford for Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals in 219 appearances for United from 2000-2006.

He has previously coached Dutch side PSV Eindhoven but resigned at the end of the 2022-23 season.

Hake led Go Ahead Eagles to a ninth-place finish in his only year in charge last season.

Also, Donny van de Beek’s exit from United was confirmed, with the Dutch midfielder joining Spanish team Girona on a three-year deal.

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The Associated Press