(Image: PA)
Ruud van Nistelrooy receives message from old foe Martin Keown after Man United debut
by Patrick Austen-Hardy · Manchester Evening NewsEx-Arsenal defender Martin Keown extended a tongue-in-cheek olive branch to former adversary Ruud van Nistelrooy after his winning start as Manchester United's interim manager.
Van Nistelrooy, 48, is currently at the wheel at Old Trafford following the sacking of Erik ten Hag. His future in the dugout looks finite given the imminent appointment of Ruben Amorim after United agreed a deal with Sporting CP to bring him to the club.
The Dutchman's short spell started sweetly with an emphatic 5-2 triumph over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup round of 16. After the match, Keown, who is best remembered by United fans for celebrating in the face of Van Nistelrooy after his missed penalty in 'the Battle of Old Trafford in 2003, offered to send his ex-rival a gift.
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Keown took to X and said: "Nice to see Ruud jumping around for a change [winking emoji]. Think I'll send him my book to congratulate him. It's released tomorrow."
The former defender's post suggests he still has not forgotten their memorable exchange. Patrick Vieira was dismissed for an apparent kick-out at Van Nistelrooy, although he never actually made contact.
When Van Nistelrooy hit the crossbar from the penalty spot, Keown jumped and screamed in his face, while also throwing himself into him. His miss from the spot meant Arsenal held United to a draw, before going on to win the Premier League as an unbeaten side.
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Over the years, Keown has previously taken several pot-shots at Van Nistelrooy. In the final weeks of Ten Hag's reign, the now television and radio pundit also accused him of not giving Ten Hag enough support.
During an appearance on TalkSPORT, Keown said: "I'm looking at Van Nistelrooy. Is he giving everything to this manager? This manager looks very lonely on the sideline.
"Is Van Nistelrooy waiting to take over? Because it looks as if there's going to be change taking place there. Is everyone adding to the group? I'm not seeing that from Van Nistelrooy.
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"Ten Hag is just sitting there, nothing going on, no conversation. Pep [Guardiola] goes back and speaks to the gurus next to him. Is everybody looking in the mirror at themselves giving their best?
"It doesn't look like the players are committed, it doesn't look like the staff are particularly committed. It's a lone man in the dugout."
Van Nistelrooy watched his United side beat Leicester through braces from Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes and a goal from Alejandro Garnacho, giving them winning momentum heading into Sunday's clash at home to Chelsea.
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