Paul Scholes backs Ruud van Nistelrooy for new role after Manchester United interim spells ends

Paul Scholes believes Ruud van Nistelrooy will be frustrated in his role as Manchester United assistant manager after his success at PSV Eindhoven - and backed his former team-mate to become a number one elsewhere.

Van Nistelrooy returned to Old Trafford to become Erik ten Hag's assistant in July and was named interim manager last month when the Dutchman was sacked by Ineos.

The 48-year-old is unbeaten in his three games at the helm but his future is uncertain, with Ruben Amorim set to begin his tenure as head coach on Monday.

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However, Van Nistelrooy's former team-mate Scholes has urged the Dutchman to leave Old Trafford and seek a new venture at another club after a successful stint as manager at PSV Eindhoven in the 2022-23 season.

Speaking after United's 2-0 win over PAOK on Thursday, Scholes said: "He just looks like a manager when you see him on the sidelines. That passion there. He even dresses like a manager!

"He looks like a manager. He speaks well, doesn't he? Nice and calm and relaxed. Goes about his business really, really well.
I am pretty sure he must have the bug back to be a manager.

"When you have done it and been successful, as he was in Holland as well, going back to being an assistant, it must be quite difficult because you must be frustrated, and I asked him about it before the game.

"Because there are certain things he will want to do that you don't agree with the manager, and you can say it but it doesn't matter.
The buck stops with the manager and I think Ruud, now, I don't know if he is going to stay, I don't know that and it will be up to the new man, the men at Ineos.

"I think he should be a manager, he just looks like he is made to be a manager to me. I don't think he should be anybody's, not a puppet, but I think he is better than an assistant manager. I think he should be a manager."

Van Nistelrooy's final game as interim manager will come against Leicester City on Sunday.