Ruud van Nistelrooy could help Manchester United complete four transfers amid new job talk

There has been a lot of talk over the future of Ruud van Nistelrooy since his Manchester United exit just a couple of weeks ago.

The former striker returned to United in the summer as assistant to Erik ten Hag. The manager’s sacking in October led to van Nistelrooy taking interim charge of the club.

In his four games in charge, United won three and drew one. Two of those wins came against Leicester City - a 5-2 Carabao Cup victory and a 3-0 win in the Premier League.

The appointment of Ruben Amorim led to uncertainty over van Nistelrooy’s future, and it was announced on the new head coach’s first day at the club that he would be leaving. It now seems that van Nistelrooy is set for a quick return to coaching.

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Following the sacking of Steve Cooper, the Dutchman is currently odds-on favourite to take over at Leicester. If it does happen, a reunion withe United will be on the cards in March when they travel to the King Power Stadium.

Van Nistelrooy;s relationship with United could potentially benefit both clubs, especially with the January transfer window not far away. With that in mind, here are four United players that the former coach could potentially sign with his new club.

Harry Maguire

The centre-back’s time at United looks to be coming to an end, so could a return to his former club be a possibility? Maguire joined United from Leiceter in the summer of 2019 for a fee of £80 million after two successful seasons at the club, where he also established himself as an England regular.

The 31-year-old has just six months remaining on his contract at Old Trafford. So he can either be sold for a reduced fee in January, or move on for nothing in the summer.

Leicester do have Conor Coady and Jannik Vestergaard as the more experienced centre-back options, but could turn to Maguire if they want to add to their backline.

Toby Collyer

The 20-year-old has broken into the squad this season, making an appearance in the second half of the 3-0 defeat against Liverpool back in September. He has however, struggled for appearances since then and has not made the squad in the last seven Premier League games.

A loan move for more game time, and if that could come with a Premier League club like Leicester, then all the better. The Foxes do however have both of their loan slots taken up, it would mean that they would have to either send back or arrange a permanent deal for the two players currently on loan to do another temporary deal.

Antony

Antony has failed to live up to his price tag at United since making the move from Ajax in 2022. United paid an initial £82 million fee to bring him to Old Trafford.

It has however been rumoured that they could look to move the winger on in the upcoming transfer window. To do that, it will either have to be for a greatly reduced price, or on a loan deal.

If United could send him on loan to a fellow Premier League club and he refinds his form and confidence. His return would either help him start again at the club, or increase his asking price in the summer window.

Ethan Wheatley

Leicester are expected to be on the lookout for another forward in the January window, and that could be the case even more if van Nistelrooy is in charge. If they have a loan slot available, then on possibility could be young United striker Ethan Wheatley.

He has been named in the squad for the Europa League games against Fenerbahce and PAOK, as well as Premier League matches against Liverpool, Southampton, Brentford, West Ham and Chelsea.

The chance to work with van Nistelrooy again as well as getting more Premier League experience could be invaluable for the youngster as he looks to break into the United first team.