Many Manchester United fans were pleased to see that club great Ruud van Nistelrooy had been announced as the new PSV Eindhoven head coach from next season. The popular striker is something of a PSV icon, having scored 62 goals in 67 league appearances for the Dutch club before moving to Manchester United in 2001.
At Old Trafford, he became a real fan-favourite during his five years at the club, making 150 appearances while scoring an impressive 95 goals. Van Nistelrooy will succeed Roger Schmidt who will leave at the end of this campaign when his contract expires.
Schmidt has led the team well this season and he could well depart with a league winners medal around his neck, with PSV currently sitting second and just two points behind Ajax in first.
READ MORE: Harry Maguire situation has given Manchester United a dilemma
Van Nistelrooy will hope to use this as a platform for his own long-term success at the club, yet in the immediate, his first task this summer will be trying to keep hold of the club’s prized assets, with several key players attracting interest from big European clubs.
One of these is Cody Gakpo who has been a standout star in the Eredivisie this season, leading to transfer links with United. And another is his attacking teammate Noni Madueke.
Madueke came through the Tottenham academy and impressed at various England youth age groups, notably captaining the U16s before making his debut for the U18s at just 15. Spurs tried to tie him down on a senior contract at 16, while United also showed an interest. However, he opted to sign a three year deal with PSV instead, stating such a move “was going to be the best” for his development.
The guarantee of regular first-team football has undoubtedly played a huge part in his evolution so far, and he’s now reaching a stage where English teams are again showing an interest. So far this season, the 20-year-old has scored nine goals while registering a further five assists. That in isolation would be impressive, however, it's made even more imposing when you take into account he missed a combined four months of the campaign through injury.
Madueke usually plays on the right of PSV’s attack within a 4-2-3-1 formation. He’s right-footed, which may indicate his game is all about driving to the byline and whipping crosses into the box. Yet, like current United star Jadon Sancho — who also earned his reputation by making waves abroad — the reality is that's just one small part of what he can offer.
That’s because the 20-year-old is extremely two-footed and skilful; he can just as easily chop inside and unleash shots at goal or thread piercing passes into the penalty area. And one of Madueke’s best assets is undoubtedly his dribbling.
Only one Eredivisie player has averaged more attempted dribbles than him this season (10.24 per 90 minutes), a point made better made by his impressive success rate of more than 50 per cent from those take-ons. His skill is also complemented by an impressive physical profile. The attacker stands at 6ft tall, he's strong, but also possesses a great turn of pace.
Madueke’s current ability and potential ceiling mean that he will inevitably leave PSV for a bigger club one day soon. Van Nistelrooy would prefer that to be later rather than sooner. Yet with the former Red in charge, United could hold an advantage in the race to secure his signature when he does leave. The Dutchman would surely recommend Old Trafford over anywhere else, and his advice could be decisive in making Madueke’s mind up when that time comes.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
