Ruud van Nistelrooy hasn’t just been linked with a return to Manchester United, the club legend has reportedly already been approached and talks are thought to be “advancing fast” as the rebuild under the INEOS regimecontinues.
Even more interestingly, it appears as though he may have dropped a few hints about where he sees his future going of late.
As first reported by Fabrizio Romano on Sunday, van Nistelrooy is said to have been approached by Man United and the recently rejigged executive team this month, with a look to have him join Erik ten Hag’s backroom staff ahead of next season.
Though Romano was the first person to report on the prospective van Nistelrooy-United reunion, the 47-year-old has been talking about potential next steps for his career as recently as March, and many fans are getting excited now they are understood to have advanced.
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As per The Mirror, van Nistelrooy was quoted as saying: “I have had offers from various clubs, also in my own country, but I would love to work in England or in Spain. I want to coach in a league where I have played because I speak the language fluently in those countries.
“In my opinion, I have gained plenty of experience. I have gone through the ranks. I did the younger youth teams at PSV, I was coach of the under-21s and subsequently became manager of the first team.”
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The ex-United and Real Madrid striker, who scored 150 goals in 219 games for the Reds, also went on to note how he helped a number of talented young players including CodyGakpo, Noni Madueke, Johan Bakayoko and Xavi Simons.
Speaking of youth talent, another interesting link has arisen from United’s ongoing pursuit of Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, who van Nistelrooy gushed over at length in his Coaches’ Voice ‘Masterclass’ episode, which spotlighted his significant win over Ajax in the Dutch Cup final.
While it remains unclear what the exact nature of the role would be, it’s clear that van Nistelrooy is more than confident in his own abilities and being a fellow compatriot of ten Hag could be a plus in the column to perhaps become his latest assistant coach.
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However, it could very well be the case that he turned down previous job offers as he’s waiting for a top job at a club in England or Spain as already hinted.
Furthermore, van Nistelrooy went on to add: “It matters to me that it is a well-organised club. I still want to work with young players, but ideally with a mixture of experienced professionals. I want to help them improve and bring a winning mentality. The latter is the most important thing. With my style of football.”
That being said, given it’s been a somewhat turbulent time for Man United recently – a team who are still very much in flux, have only recently confirmed that ten Hag will stay on as manager and are still yet to show a clear way of playing – this could equally cast doubts over a deal being struck.
‘We couldn’t see f**k all’ – Bizarre Altrincham FC FA Cup clash played in thick fog leaves fans baffled
Daisy Jackson
Altrincham FC’s FA Cup clash with Notts County descended into extraordinary scenes on Saturday night as thick fog engulfed the stadium, leaving supporters struggling to see the players and even broadcasters questioning what was happening.
The bizarre first-round encounter at the J Davidson Stadium saw visibility deteriorate so badly that fans resorted to holding their mobile phone torches aloft in an attempt to follow the action.
What should have been a memorable FA Cup occasion turned into something resembling a scene from a horror film, with the players increasingly disappearing into the mist.
Altrincham Today captured the surreal atmosphere, posting: “Extraordinary scenes here at the J Davidson Stadium. Visibility down to a few yards. No-one has any idea what is going on. Supporters holding mobile torches aloft, like it’s an Elton John concert. It is still 2-2, we think.”
Even television coverage struggled to make sense of the conditions.
Broadcaster Jason Mohammad joked: “Bear with us at the end of the game. We’ve not seen much of extra time where we are. We don’t have the foggiest what’s going on down the away end. Fair play – cracking game and atmosphere!”
One social media user summed up the extraordinary conditions simply, writing: “Altrincham v Notts County is currently being played in a cloud.”
Others were equally bewildered, with one supporter asking: “Spot the ball anyone? #FACup @altrinchamfc on the verge of another league scalp – although who knows what’s going on?!”
Another fan was less than impressed, posting: “Shame we couldn’t see f**k all for most of it”.
Even the stadium’s advertising boards were struggling to make an impression. James Timpson joked: “It was hard to see the investment we have made in to our pitch side advertising boards last night at Altrincham V Notts County!”
It was hard to see the investment we have made in to our pitch side advertising boards last night at Altrincham V Notts County! https://t.co/trW9imo7Xu
The unusual conditions also prompted questions over whether the match should have continued.
One Notts County supporter reflected after the game: “Unlucky guys you gave us a great game and the conditions didn’t help still say it should have been abandoned even though we scraped through!!!! Good luck for the rest of the season lads”.
And it was certainly a dramatic contest before the fog took centre stage.
Notts County initially took the lead through Jacob Bedeau in the 28th minute, but Altrincham responded through Lucas Weaver just before half-time.
Lewis Banks then put the hosts ahead in the 59th minute, raising hopes of another famous FA Cup upset against higher-league opposition.
@altrinchamfc If you say so https://t.co/6ub5YiIogD
However, Callum Roberts equalised for County in the 84th minute, sending the tie into extra time.
With neither side able to find a winner, the match went to penalties, where Notts County eventually prevailed 3-2 to book their place in the second round.
While the result was heartbreaking for Altrincham, the extraordinary conditions ensured the match would be remembered for more than just the football.
For supporters at the J Davidson Stadium, it was certainly one FA Cup tie where seeing wasn’t necessarily believing.
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Danny Jones -
24th June 2024 
