Van Nistelrooy Relies on Manchester United’s Glorious Past to Face Chelsea

Manchester United are optimistic. Dutch coach Erik ten Hag, who struggled with a series of poor results, has been relieved of his position. Chelsea, the upcoming opponent, will visit Old Trafford, where they have failed to defeat the “Red Devils” in their last 11 encounters on United’s home stadium.
This situation opens the door for interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy to step in as a qualified manager, aiming to lead the team to victory much as he did during his playing days. However, the club’s administration remains hesitant about granting him the position permanently.
Van Nistelrooy holds the support of United fans, having spent five memorable years at the club and scored countless goals. Nevertheless, fan polls reveal some hesitation, as the former striker has limited experience in a senior coaching role, with only one season as a head coach.
Supporters familiar with van Nistelrooy describe him as a determined perfectionist. But what has he accomplished since leaving England, and what can United fans expect?
In 2001, Manchester United brought van Nistelrooy from PSV Eindhoven for £19 million. Over five seasons, he scored 150 goals in 219 appearances across all competitions before moving to Real Madrid in 2006.
After retiring with Malaga, van Nistelrooy began his coaching journey at PSV’s academy in 2013, advancing to head coach of the first team in 2022.
After guiding PSV to a Dutch Cup win and securing a second-place finish in the league, Van Nistelrooy surprised many by stepping down at the season’s end. Although he was widely expected to advance into a higher-profile role, he opted instead to expand his coaching knowledge, spending time learning from renowned managers at top clubs like Real Madrid and Argentine giants Boca Juniors and River Plate.
Former PSV player Xavi Simons remarked that van Nistelrooy taught him “everything.” Dutch sources suggest he is passionate about player development, sometimes even more than winning titles.
Despite winning two championships and securing a Champions League qualification in his first season with PSV, van Nistelrooy resigned just one game before the end of the season. At that time, the Dutch press reported that six players had informed the club’s board of their dissatisfaction with their coach.

Many feel van Nistelrooy has unfinished business at Manchester United. Departing at age 30 after a falling-out with Sir Alex Ferguson, he returned to the club as an assistant coach earlier this summer to help ten Hag succeed. Now, however, he faces the challenge of rallying a team at a morale low, hoping to uplift players, particularly forwards who have netted only eight goals this season. High expectations surrounded younger talents like Danish forward Rasmus Højlund and Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee; however, both players have yet to come close to replicating the impressive impact Van Nistelrooy once had on the pitch.
Here are a few key indicators to help you predict the result of the game and win with Betway:
Manchester United hasn’t lost in their last 11 Premier League home games against Chelsea (winning 5 and drawing 6) and aims to win three consecutive matches against the “Blues” at Old Trafford for the first time since January 1957.
The Manchester United vs. Chelsea rivalry is the most drawn fixture in Premier League history, with 26 of the 64 previous encounters ending in a tie.
United has earned just 11 points from their first nine league games this season, marking their second-lowest points tally at this stage.
Only Southampton and Crystal Palace (6 each) have scored fewer league goals this season than Manchester United’s 8 goals.
Cole Palmer scored in both of Chelsea’s matchups against Manchester United last season, including a hat-trick in Chelsea’s 4-3 victory at Stamford Bridge.
Palmer has contributed to 33 Premier League goals in 2024 (21 goals and 12 assists).

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