I've been in Ruud van Nistelrooy meetings at Man United – this is what he's really like

Ruud van Nistelrooy has been dubbed "the best" coach that ex-Manchester United star Tom Heaton has ever worked with after he arrived at Old Trafford as Erik Ten Hag's right-hand man.

Van Nistelrooy will be fondly remembered by Red Devils fans for his incredible five-year stint between 2001 and 2006, scoring 150 goals and bagging 30 assists alongside Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and David Beckham.

Despite retiring from playing in 2012, the Dutchman has been incredibly busy in the world of football management - taking the reins of PSV Eindhoven U19s in 2018, spending a season at Jong PSV in 2021, and ultimately managing PSV's first team between 2022 and 2023 to a second-place finish in the Eredivisie.

And under Sir Jim Ratcliffe's ownership of Man United and a complete club reshuffle, the 48-year-old has returned to the North West to help guide the Red Devils to Premier League greatness once more, alongside Ten Hag. While the two were previously unknown to each other on a personal level, Ten Hag recommended Van Nistelrooy for the assistant manager job.

READ MORE: Why Bruno Fernandes is set to get a new Manchester United contract despite current 2027 expiry date

READ MORE: Garnacho proves his point as United pay the price for substitution error

Van Nistelrooy's presence and knowledge of the game quickly impressed United bosses - earning him a contract until the summer of 2026. While he has been invaluable to United's current strikers and attacking midfielders, the former striker has also previously imparted his advice on decorated goalkeepers to help them understand their in-game competition - with Heaton dubbing him "the best" he's worked with.

The now 38-year-old, who has been in meetings with the Dutchman,