Scholes backs Van Nistelrooy for role

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 8 Nov 2024 03:27 CST
• 3 min read

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has backed his former teammate and current Red Devils interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy to go on and succeed away from the club.

The former United midfielder believes that the Dutchman would be better served elsewhere, believing he would be frustrated as the United assistant manager under Ruben Amorim.

Van Nistelrooy returned to Old Trafford to become Erik ten Hag's assistant in July. After the former Ajax boss was sacked, he was named interim manager.

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It's been a good start for Van Nistelrooy. The 48-year-old is unbeaten in his three games, his most recent being a 2-0 win over PAOK Thessaloniki in the Europa League.

Now Scholes has urged the Dutchman to leave United and find a new club as a head coach.

Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a great stint as manager at PSV Eindhoven in the 2022-23 season and has shown that he is more than capable.

Scholes on Ruud

Speaking after United's 2-0 win over PAOK on Thursday, Scholes on TNT Sports: "He just looks like a manager when you see him on the sidelines. That passion there. He even dresses like a manager.

"He looks like a manager. He speaks well, doesn't he? Nice and calm and relaxed. Goes about his business really, really well. I am pretty sure he must have the bug back to be a manager.

"When you have done it and been successful, as he was in Holland as well, going back to being an assistant, it must be quite difficult because you must be frustrated, and I asked him about it before the game.

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"Because there are certain things he will want to do that you don't agree with the manager, and you can say it but it doesn't matter. The buck stops with the manager and I think Ruud, now, I don't know if he is going to stay, I don't know that and it will be up to the new man, the men at Ineos.

"I think he should be a manager, he just looks like he is made to be a manager to me. I don't think he should be anybody's, not a puppet, but I think he is better than an assistant manager. I think he should be a manager."

Van Nistelrooy's final game at United will come against Leicester City on Sunday, with Amorim taking up the role of head coach on Monday.