United legend to play key role in the Netherlands’ assault on World Cup 2026 – report

Manchester United fans will be keeping a close eye on Ruud van Nistelrooy once again. The Red Devils confirmed that Van Nistelrooy will join the Netherlands national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Man United’s official website announced this week that Van Nistelrooy will begin his duties as an assistant coach alongside Ronald Koeman on 1 February. The retired Dutch forward returns to the Oranje as they ramp up preparations for this summer’s tournament. Man United connection Having scored 150 goals in 219 games, the 49-year-old is one of the Reds’ greatest ever strikers. Capable of a variety of finishes, he constantly terrorised defences with his intelligent movement during his five seasons with the English club. One would even be forgiven for thinking the term ‘fox-in-the box’ originated from Van Nistelrooy’s prolific record as a frontman. A golden boot winner in 2002/03, Van Nistelrooy found the net a staggering 25 times in 34 outings as he led Man United to their eighth Premier League title in 11 years. He also won the Player of the Season award and was named the best attacker in Europe, which shows just how brilliant he was. Man United supporters will also have fond memories of Van Nistelrooy serving as caretaker manager in 2024, albeit for just four fixtures, as he exuded a calm confidence in the technical area that had been missing for years. This brief stint, however, brought a club legend back to the centre stage in the Old Trafford dugout. Van Nistelrooy amassed a 75% win rate, courtesy of three wins and one draw. A member of Erik ten Hag’s backroom staff before his Dutch compatriot was dismissed, Van Nistelrooy’s name was touted as a possible successor to Ruben Amorim, who was recently sacked by INEOS. Despite these rumours, Michael Carrick took charge as interim head coach this week for a second spell. What happens next Man United fans will be paying close attention to how Van Nistelrooy fares alongside Koeman, as this will not be his first coaching job with the Netherlands. After all, he previously supported Guus Hiddink during their UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. This next step for Van Nistelrooy, therefore, keeps him on INEOS’ radar after the World Cup. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada, and Jason Wilcox will decide whether to stick or twist with Carrick as they continue their search for the right candidate to take on a permanent managerial role at Man United. If Van Nistelrooy brings his tactical nous to the Netherlands’ World Cup assault, he could even be in contention for the Man United job come July. Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Okari Wambunya Okari Wambunya is a football writer at The Peoples Person, covering Manchester United with fast, source-led updates on team news, transfers, and matchday reaction. A former teacher, he now coaches grassroots football and continues to support young people through academic mentoring and youth work. He holds a BA (Hons) in English from Brunel University London and an MA in Education from King’s College London, with experience across digital journalism and broadcast sports media. Okari first praised Michael Carrick in a blog post he wrote at 16 years old in 2014; over a decade later, United appointing Carrick as interim head coach feels like a full-circle moment.