MANCHESTER UNITED have found a new secret weapon to help them return to the top four in Ruud van Nistelrooy, claims former player Kleberson.
United legend Van Nistelrooy, 48, completed an emotional return to Old Trafford this summer after a stunning five-year stint playing under Sir Alex Ferguson who signed him back in 2001.
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The Dutchman has joined manager Erik ten Hag‘s coaching staff as an assistant coach along with Rene Hake following a major backroom reshuffle.
Kleberson, 45, believes the ex-Netherlands international will prove to be a major difference maker as he will inspire the players to regain a winners’ mentality and challenge Arsenal as well as Manchester City.
The 2002 World Cup-winning Brazilian knows all about Van Nistelrooy as they played together for two years at United until the former’s departure in 2005.
Kleberson told SunSport via Free Bets: “My pick for this [season’s key man] won’t actually be the players but the staff and coaches. Ruud Van Nistlerooy will be the key man for this season.
“He was an amazing player for United, was extremely hungry for success and now he’s on the other side, the players will be on the receiving end of something really powerful.
“That’s why I think the key for United will be him.”
Kleberson is confident Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals in 219 appearances at United, will help Ten Hag rediscover the club’s old title-winning identity that was lost after Ferguson’s departure.
But to do so, the ex-Brazil international insists the Red Devils will first need to find the “right balance” and “consistency”.
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Kleberson added: “United need to find the right balance. They need consistency too.
“They start well but then drop off sometimes, [last season] they lost games at home, they lost games that they were winning. To be top 4 in the Premier League it’s very difficult now.
“There are so many top teams like Arsenal now so as long as they can be consistent throughout the season, that will be the main determining factor.”
By Neil Custis
RUUD VAN NISTELROOY could never have imagined he would get a second chance at helping to make Manchester United title winners again.
Not after the way he left the club where his incredible 150 goals in 219 games helped them to the 2002-03 Premier League title and 2003-04 FA Cup.
Oh, he also has a 2005-06 League Cup winners medal but will probably want to forget about that.
It was that occasion at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium when Man Utd beat Wigan 4-0 that led to the Dutchman’s untimely and messy exit.
Sir Alex Ferguson had decided to go with Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha upfront and after the final sub was used and Van Nistelrooy realised he was not getting on he released a volley of abuse at the boss.
Ferguson could not believe what was happening as he turned round on the bench to witness his star striker berating him.
It would be the end as Van Nistelrooy was sold to Real Madrid at the end of that season for £10.2million.
Now 18 years on Van Nistelrooy is back at Old Trafford trying to help the current strikers emulate his own goalscoring exploits.
