Ruud van Nistelrooy has told Erik ten Hag what he wants to hear amid Man United links

Nothing excites a fanbase more than seeing a former player return to their club.

Manchester United supporters are going through that period of excitement currently as Ruud van Nistelrooy remains strongly linked with the Reds. It appears the ex-striker is currently weighing up his options between becoming the permanent manager of Championship club Burnley and an assistant coach at Old Trafford.

Should he take the latter job, it will be a welcome return for a player who left in a manner that he has since gone on to regret. From Erik ten Hag's perspective, though, he will not be in the business of sentimentality.

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He wants to ensure that the best people possible are on his coaching staff who can help push the team forward in the future. He also wants to see that they have the drive not to just settle for how things are currently going.

With Van Nistelrooy, Ten Hag may have found the right man for the task. In an interview with The Overlap, the 47-year-old was asked about what was driving him in his previous job with PSV Eindhoven.

His response was ultimately telling. "My ambition, I have to say, that it's here at PSV. I cannot see anything else," he explained.

"This is something I really want to accomplish and build on and get this club back at the highest level, competing for trophies, and especially getting back into the Champions League." Van Nistelrooy has already shown he has the drive and ambition to spearhead a project and that experience will be invaluable for United next season.

Ten Hag will not be receiving a passenger who is just looking for a payday and a feel-good