Ruud van Nistelrooy in new Man United controversy as image resurfaces

Wed 30 October 2024 10:00, UK

Man United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has been embroiled in a social media controversy after an image of him doing ‘black face’ resurfaced.

The 48-year-old was handed the temporary reins of his former club on Monday (October 29) after the club finally decided to pull the trigger on Erik ten Hag’s time at the club.

Shortly after, an image emerged of the Dutchman in black face paint, dressed as Middle Eastern king Balthazar during a charity event where he visited a children’s hospital to distribute gifts and sweets.

According to The Telegraph, the image, which was originally posted 11 years ago, was hastily deleted by 4 pm, just hours after the ex-striker took control of the first team.

Ruud van Nistelrooy caught up in controversy hours after taking Man United job

The Dutchman’s only other spell as a first-team manager was at Eredivisie club PSV, where he lifted the KNVB Cup in 2022-23, the same year Ten Hag won the League Cup with United.

In the highly controversial now-deleted post on X, formally known as Twitter, Van Nistelrooy can be seen clearly doing ‘black face’.

Van Nistelrooy’s first game at the helm will come in their League Cup tie against Leicester City before taking on an in-form Chelsea at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday (November 3).