Van Nistelrooy’s potential return to Man Utd could mark a significant moment of redemption following his controversial departure and the fallout with Sir Alex Ferguson

Trud van Niesterloy never dreamed he’d receive a second opportunity to assist Manchester United win the title.Not after the manner he departed the club he had a remarkable 150 goals in 219 appearances for, during which time they won the Premier League and the FA Cup in 2002–03 and 2003–04. In compliance with our Privacy Policy, we will utilize your data.

He may want to disregard the fact that he also possesses a medal commemorating the 2005–06 League Cup.The Dutchman was ejected from the game at the Cardiff Millennium Stadium after Manchester United’s 4-0 victory over Wigan.When Van Nistelrooy saw that he was not starting due to Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to start Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha up forward, he unleashed a torrent of criticism on the manager.As he spun around on the bench, Ferguson saw his ace striker scolding him, and he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.At the season’s conclusion, Real Madrid paid £10.2 million to acquire Van Nistelrooy, marking the end of an era.Van Nistelrooy has returned to Old Trafford 18 years later, this time to advise the current crop of forwards on how to replicate his former goal-scoring prowess.Despite offers from Burnley and other teams to reclaim the position of head coach, the former PSV Eindhoven coach turned them down.After everything he did to leave, maybe he thought going back to United would be the last chance he had for redemption.

Even after he departed, his acts continued to niggle at him, and he felt a desire to make up with Sir Alex.He mustered up the resolve to confront the matter at last.He added: “My wife suggested I send Ferguson a text to see if he was willing to talk and when I sent him a message asking if I could ring him he replied to say: ‘OK, call me at this date and time.””Okay, fine, go ahead,” he replied when I called him. I wished to express my utmost regret for the events that transpired.Then he said, “Okay, thanks for that; it will be OK when we meet again.” It was wonderful to learn that.

As one of the principal visitors invited to witness Sir Alex erect a statue of himself at Old Trafford in November 2012, Van Nistelrooy publicly accepted that the hatchet had been buried.When the new season begins, they will cross paths again since Sir Alex continues to make it to every United game.After having trouble scoring last season, he will be hopeful that Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford can show him some old Van Nistelrooy.Another addition is Joshua Zirkzee, a striker who can draw on the experience of Van Nistelrooy, who scored an astounding 349 goals in 592 club games throughout his 19-year career (during which he played for United, Madrid, Hamburg, and Malaga).

His goalscoring heroics with Real Madrid in particular made it seem like he left United at the last possible moment.

In his rookie season, he scored 25 goals in 37 La Liga games, leading his team to victory.United last won a championship in the final season under Sir Alex Ferguson, which was eleven years ago.Last year, they fell to ninth place, a Premier League record low for the club, and they were much further behind than before.In his debut season with United after joining for £72 million from Atalanta, Hojlund had a poor campaign, and Marcus Rashford saw a drop from 30 goals to 8.Is it possible for Van Nistelrooy, who is now 48 years old, to recreate his playing magic at Old Trafford as a coach?At United, they are certain of it.Tom Heaton, the club’s backup goalkeeper, remembers Van Nistelrooy from his time spent in the club’s reserves during his debut season.Of his time working with Heaton, Heaton declared, “He was the best.”I believe he can now explain his process, offer some examples of his work, and perhaps even provide some translation.