Erik ten Hag trouble with Man United squad isn’t new to Ruud van Nistelrooy

Ruud van Nistelrooy faced alleged player revolts at PSV that led to his resignation – and he is now reportedly similarly dealing with Manchester United players discussing manager Erik ten Hag's future.

The Red Devils icon kicked off his senior managerial career at the Eredivisie club in 2022, enjoying significant success by clinching the Johan Cruyff Shield and KNVB Cup in his second season at the helm.

However, his brief tenure at PSV concluded abruptly when the former Dutch international resigned from the club with just one league game left in the season, blaming a lack of backing from the club's top brass.

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Rumours of a player revolt surfaced as it was revealed that a number of PSV's players had allegedly voiced concerns about Van Nistelrooy's coaching style and tactics.

The former forward is said to have had a strained relationship with assistants Fred Rutten and Andre Ooijer, with Rutten stepping in as interim replacement. Following Van Nistelrooy's exit last May, Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf ran a story claiming that several key players had even approached PSV's board to express their concerns about his methods and coaching skills, reports the Mirror.

Now at United, he's seeing echoes of his PSV experiences, with Ten Hag having had disagreements with stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho, with both players eventually having left Old Trafford.

The 54-year-old has presided over the club's most dismal start to a Premier League season ever, surpassing his own record from the previous campaign, with a mere eight points secured in seven matches. The poor start by United has reignited discussions about Ten Hag's position, and it's been suggested that his uncertain future is a topic of conversation among the United players.

According to The Sun, the players have been openly discussing how much longer Ten Hag might remain as United manager, given their woeful run of form which sees them languishing in 14th place in the league.

If the Dutchman were to be dismissed in his third season at the helm, it's felt that the United squad would welcome Van Nistelrooy stepping into his compatriot's shoes, who is reportedly 'open' to the idea of taking over.

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With his legendary status as a former player at Old Trafford, where he netted 150 goals in 219 appearances for the club, the 48-year-old remains an immensely popular figure among both fans and players.

However, Van Nistelrooy's strained relationship with the PSV management and several key players could pose a problem for Ineos if they decide to turn to him, should Ten Hag be shown the door just a few months after signing a contract extension.

Ten Hag's team will next face Brentford on October 19 (Saturday) following the conclusion of the current international break – a match that could prove pivotal for the manager's future.