Man United told Ruud van Nistelrooy concern as brutal Everton comparison made

Manchester United return to action on Sunday with a tough trip to Aston Villa.

The Reds are in need of a result at Villa Park having not won since a 7-0 victory over Barnsley in the Carabao Cup on September 17. United's struggles currently put them 14th in the Premier League table which has put manager Erik ten Hag under huge pressure.

United's under-fire manager oversaw an eighth-placed top-flight finish at Old Trafford last season - United's worst since 1990. And there have been few signs of improvement so far in 2024/25 leading to rumours that the former Ajax boss could lose his job after Sunday's game.

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Below, The Manchester Evening News has taken a look at the latest United stories as well as offering a view on each of them...

Ruud awakening

Dwight Yorke admits to having been unsure of Ruud van Nistelrooy's appointment as an assistant coach under Ten Hag at United. The former PSV boss is rumoured to be a potential interim manager at Old Trafford if Ten Hag leaves.

“So the appointment of Ruud? Well Ruud is a manager," Yorke told our colleagues at the Mirror. "He was a manager, he wants to be a manager - and he’s had success. Ruud won a cup at PSV. When I saw he went to Manchester United, I thought ‘there’s something not right with that.’

“I gave Ruud the benefit of the doubt because I know him. But when you have a name like Ruud in the background, there’s something not quite right. It’s like when Roy Keane was at Villa under Paul Lambert and Martin O’Neill. I won’t say ‘suspicious’, but there is something not right.

“I’m sure Ruud is professional, does his job. But you can’t help wondering if he would be in position to take over if Ten Hag goes. I feel like there is something in it. I find it a bit bizarre.

“I’d be interested to see if Ten Hag was sacked, will they give Ruud the interim job, or will he walk away from the job? That’s when I will really figure out what this is all about. Everyone loves United, so why would he turn it down?”

MEN Sport's Isaac Seelochan says:Van Nistelrooy's arrival added to growing doubts over Ten Hag's long-term future at United. As soon as the Reds hit a poor run of form, the club's legendary former striker was always going to be one of the names linked as a potential interim boss.

His record at PSV was decent and that's why it's hard to see how he won't be given a chance at some point. When that comes is the big question.

Everton comparison

Robbie Savage has slammed Man United's recent record under Ten Hag - comparing it to relegation strugglers Everton.

“In their last 15 Premier League games, Everton have taken more points than Manchester United," he told the Mirror.

“If you don’t believe me, count them yourself – Everton 21, United 19. After their crazy 3-3 draw with Porto on Thursday night, since the start of last season, United have conceded two or more goals on 31 occasions in all competitions – more times than any other Premier League club over the same period.

“And in their last five away games in Europe, United have conceded 17 goals, including four in Munich and Copenhagen. I offer those facts – not opinions, they are facts – as evidence of the tide going out on manager Erik ten Hag.”

MEN Sport's Isaac Seelochan says:This is just another example of how shambolic things have been for United under Ten Hag in recent times. The Reds have been grossly underperforming for some time now and it doesn't look like it's going to change anytime soon.

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