Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy’s future at Manchester United is uncertain following reports that the club is closing in on a sensational return of Ruud van Nistelrooy to join Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff.

This news comes after Ten Hag secured his position as manager following a positive end-of-season review conducted by new co-owners INEOS, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. While Ten Hag remains, McCarthy’s future is unclear.

Over the weekend, reports emerged that United approached their former star striker, van Nistelrooy, for a potential role within the technical staff. This move could impact some of Ten Hag’s trusted allies, including McCarthy and assistant manager Mitchell van der Gaag. Sir Dave Brailsford, part of the new ownership structure, is reportedly open to letting them go.

Van Nistelrooy has been without a job since stepping down as PSV Eindhoven manager at the end of the 2022/23 season. He cited a lack of support from the board despite winning the KNVB Cup and Dutch Super Cup trophies in his first season as a solo senior coach.

The 47-year-old is also a target for recently relegated Burnley, where Lyle Foster is at. However, van Nistelrooy appears more interested in a return to Manchester United, where he scored 150 goals in 217 appearances and won the Premier League, FA Cup, and League Cup between 2001 and 2006.

Meanwhile, McCarthy joined United as a strikers’ coach in July 2022 after Ten Hag’s arrival. However, his future is in doubt as his contract expires at the end of June and the club has yet to offer him an extension. This uncertainty coincides with the ongoing backroom staff reshuffle at Old Trafford.

McCarthy is credited with inspiring Marcus Rashford’s impressive 2022/23 season, where the forward scored 31 goals in all competitions. Unfortunately, Rashford’s goalscoring form dipped in the 2023/24 season, and the overall poor performance of United’s attackers may reflect poorly on McCarthy. This could be a factor in the team’s disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League, with a negative goal difference.

Talks between United and van Nistelrooy are reportedly at an advanced stage, and according to the Daily Mail’s Chris Wheeler, the Dutchman is expected to replace either McCarthy or van der Gaag.

Article by Trevor Magoro