Ruud Van Nistelrooy brings aura to Manchester United and more than might be expected

The 48-year-old is a key part of the Ratcliffe revolution, despite being an Erik ten Hag-led recruit.

Manchester United's new coach Ruud Van Nistelrooy before the pre-season friendly match at Murrayfield Stadium. Pic: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire.

In blazing south California sun Ruud van Nistelrooy is leading training at UCLA’s Wallis Annenberg Stadium.

Manchester United will go down 2-1 to Arsenal at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium the following day but on this heat-drenched afternoon the new assistant manager is conducting quickfire attack-v-defence sessions of less than two minutes each on a pitch of shortened, squeezed dimensions designed to enhance touch and speed of play.