I heard what Ruud van Nistelrooy said about the Man United squad - he's exactly what they need

When Manchester United take on Fulham at Old Trafford next week, one of the biggest cheers of the evening is likely to be reserved for Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Scoring 150 goals in 219 appearances for United, the Dutchman is primed to get a standing ovation when he makes the walk from the Stretford End tunnel to the home dugout ahead of kick-off. Almost 20 years after leaving the club, he is back at United as assistant manager.

As part of Ineos' decision to freshen up the first-team coaching set-up, Van Nistelrooy, alongside Rene Hake, was installed as one of Erik ten Hag's new assistants last month. After being heavily linked with replacing Vincent Kompany in the top job at Burnley, the opportunity to return to Old Trafford was too good to turn down.

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"When United first came in with the opportunity to become assistant manager, it was fantastic," he said, speaking to MUTV. "I never thought of it. When it occurred, it was something I couldn't refuse."

Although Van Nistelrooy, 48, has only been back in Manchester less than a month, he has already made a positive impact on the training ground. Club sources have said he has oozed authority and veterans Tom Heaton and Jonny Evans have waxed lyrical about him.

Having spent five years at Old Trafford, establishing himself as one of the club's most prolific strikers, winning four major trophies and working with Sir Alex Ferguson, he knows what comes with the responsibility of wearing a United shirt. He knows the expectation levels are through the roof and that exceptionally high standards