Ruud van Nistelrooy Man United blueprint already clear after Arsenal appointment

Manchester United are entering another weekend of Premier League action with yet more questions over Erik ten Hag's future.

The Manchester Evening News understands that United's hierarchy currently have no plans to replace the Dutchman. However, with a tough trip to Aston Villa on Sunday, Ten Hag will be aware that his position at Old Trafford is under ever-growing threat if wins don't materialise soon.

To compound matters for the former Ajax boss, an international break is to come next week in what is often seen as a nervous time for under-pressure managers. We've been here before with Ten Hag but as a top four spot looks increasingly under threat so early in the season, this does feel different.

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One other factor which may be adding to the ever-growing pressure on United's under-fire manager is his assistant, Ruud van Nistelrooy. The former United striker arrived this summer as part of a backroom shake-up.

And it won't be lost on Ten Hag that Van Nistelrooy has a good reputation as a manager from his time at PSV Eindhoven. His playing career at Old Trafford will also create further speculation with former players going back to their old clubs a popular trend in recent times.

One example which has worked reasonably well so far is Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. The Spaniard arrived at a broken club that had spent several years out of the Champions League.

Arteta has since turned the Gunners into not only a top-four regular but Manchester City's closest title challengers. It wasn't all plane sailing with several eighth-placed finishes early on.

But the North London club are now near the top of European football again, competing for the game's biggest prizes. There will be some hope that Van Nistelrooy can do something similar if he were to replace Ten Hag one day.

The problem with United compared to Arsenal is the level of expectations are still huge despite a decade of mediocrity. Would a new manager be given time if they finished eighth in consecutive seasons like Arteta did?

We've already seen Ten Hag come under pressure after one season in eighth, despite United having won two trophies in two years under the Dutchman. If the Reds were to be patient with a manager though who showed clear progression in performances, they may finally get closer to Omar Berrada's vision of a league title in 2028.

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