Defensively obsessed and barking instructions - inside Ruud van Nistelrooy's Manchester United return

Sporting a brilliant red leisure Adidas T-shirt, black shorts, white socks and white trainers, Ruud van Nistelrooy looked more immaculate in Manchester United attire than he did 20 years ago.

Van Nistelrooy was heading out for a stroll around Beverly Hills with the new goalkeeping coach Jelle ten Rouwelaar. 12 years on from his retirement as a player, the 48-year-old Van Nistelrooy still has an aura that Rodeo Drive cannot match.

In 2003, Van Nistelrooy enjoyed his own tour of the States with United, plundering four goals in four games. Now he is imparting that knowledge onto United's underachievers.

Van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake are assistants to manager Erik ten Hag but the former United striker is the prominent appointment. "They are just two more Dutch people," Christian Eriksen laughs.

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"I’ve only been back for three sessions of training so it’s difficult to see what their impact really is. Obviously, it’s different faces and different personalities walking around on the pitch.

"In terms of taking training and the sessions, it’s more or less the same. It’s the same manager so a lot of the training is similar.

"I was sad to see Benni (McCarthy) and Mitchell (van der Gaag) leave. I had a good relationship with both of them and they are both incredible guys. It’s tough but with Ruud and Rene I’m sure it’s going to go well."

First team coach Darren Fletcher has been reunited with Van Nistelrooy after 18 years. Fletcher was a teammate of Van Nistelrooy's between 2003-06 and the Dutchman used to give the midfielder lifts into training at Carrington as Fletcher did not have a driver's licence.