At Manchester United assistant managers Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake, along with first-team coaches Andreas Georgson and Darren Fletcher, usually take the first 30 to 40 minutes of a session and are involved throughout to varying degrees. The day before a game, however, Erik ten Hag would lead the final part, focusing purely on match-day tactics.
Van Nistelrooy has designed his own drills specifically for possession and core passing skills. During pre-season in the United States, he led a drill for building from the back under pressure and using width.
Given his striking pedigree, one would expect him to help with United’s forwards’ finishing but he offers more than that, as Ten Hag said in the summer when asked about Marcus Rashford, and as Rasmus Hojlund repeated at the weekend.
“Everybody’s asking me this question,” said Hojlund after his winner against Brentford last weekend. “Yes, obviously, he’s helping us every day, but he’s also helping the defence and the midfield. He has given me a lot of good advice.”
Van Nistelrooy is an arm-around-the-shoulder kind of coach, working one-to-one with players, as all United’s coaches do at various times, while also focusing on the bigger picture. Understandably, his past helps connect with the players.
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Van Nistelrooy, Hake and the roles of Ten Hag’s Manchester United coaching staff
