Ruud van Nistelrooy: Man Utd legend was in awe of AC Milan's epic 2005 side

Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy is believed to be on the verge of securing his first ever managerial role this summer.

According to Dutch outlet Ed, via talkSPORT, the 45-year-old is considered the ‘leading candidate’ to succeed the departing Roger Schmidt at PSV.

Van Nistelrooy is said to have impressed club chiefs while coaching reserve side Jong PSV, following a successful three-year spell looking after the U18s – and is set to take the reigns of the senior side when Schmidt departs the Philips Stadion at the end of the current campaign.

Back in his own playing days, Van Nistelrooy was a prolific striker, especially during his five-season stint at Old Trafford.

Between 2001 and 2006, Van Nistelrooy fired 150 goals in 219 appearances for United becoming one of the most feared frontmen in the world game.

One of the few defences that Van Nistelrooy couldn’t unlock during his time at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ was that of AC Milan.

Not that there was any shame in being thwarted by the Milan backline of 2005. Comprised of Paolo Maldini, Jaap Stam, Alessandro Nesta and Cafu, few strikers around Europe at the time could truthfully have said they were looking forward to the task.

Ultimately, United fell to a 2-0 aggregate defeat against Milan in the last-16 of the 2004/05 Champions League, much to the frustration of Van Nistelrooy.

As part of a video that went viral on Twitter last year, though, the former United striker admitted his deep appreciation for how the Milan side of that era operated.

Facing Milan in 2005 was a NIGHTMARE for Ruud Van Nistelrooy pic.twitter.com/GgR1rE2t2o

“I played against AC Milan at the San Siro and there was a back four of Cafu, Jaap Stam, Maldini and Nesta.

“So I was just like… that is