I spoke to Ruud van Nistelrooy in an off-camera conversation at Carrington and this is what he said

Ruud van Nistelrooy was born in Oss, which is a small town in the south of the Netherlands.

Oss is a quiet industrial, working-class town and perhaps that explains why Van Nistelrooy feels so comfortable in Manchester, another corner of the world that has industrial heritage.

Van Nistelrooy is his home town's most famous export and is currently making national headlines following his appointment as interim manager of Manchester United this week.

The 48-year-old was one of his generation's greatest players and has the top job at the biggest club in England until Ruben Amorim's arrival from Sporting Lisbon, but he remains down to earth, approachable and hasn't seemed to have forgotten his humble beginnings back home.

ALSO READ: United reveal appointment of Ruben Amorim as manager

ALSO READ: Van Nistelrooy outlines his plans after United appoint Amorim

That was proven by my chance encounter with Van Nistelrooy on Thursday after he addressed the media at a press conference at Carrington ahead of facing Chelsea in the Premier League.

Van Nistelrooy was in good form during the presser, answering questions on his future, revealing he would only be an assistant manager for United and providing analysis on Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee, and he politely said goodbye to journalists as he left the room.

The Dutchman conducted external media duties for the Chelsea match after his press conference. And then our departures from the Jimmy Murphy Building fortuitously coincided.

Van Nistelrooy was standing in the doorway, chatting to the chief press officer, and held the door open for me, which I thanked him for. We then proceeded to walk toward the car park and I had the privilege of having a casual chinwag with Van Nistelrooy