RUUD VAN NISTELROOY had a sarcastic response to being booked during Manchester United’s draw with Porto.
The Dutch coach was shown a yellow card by referee Tobias Stieler during a crazy first half in Portugal.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was booked during Manchester United’s clash with Porto
The Red Devils coach had a sarcastic response to referee Tobias Stieler’s decision
Van Nistelrooy’s passion was hailed by United fans following Porto’s equaliser
United raced into a two-goal lead inside 20 minutes thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund.
However, they were pegged back before half-time by their hosts at the Estadio do Dragao.
In the aftermath of Samu Omorodion’s equaliser, Stieler walked over to the away dugout to speak to Van Nistelrooy.
The Red Devils coach even invited the referee into the technical area before he brandished his yellow card, to which he responded to by nodding and sticking his thumb up.
Van Nistelrooy then sat back in his seat next to Ten Hag as Stieler restarted the match.
Footage of the former United striker’s reaction quickly caught the attention of fans on social media.
Reacting to the incident, one supporter wrote: “Ruud is showing more passion as an assistant than Ten Hag has one as manager in three years. He is more enthusiastic”
Another added: “At least he’s showing some passion for the game. Erik just sat there.”
A third fan also commented: “Showing more passion than Ten Hag and most of those players on the pitch.”
Meanwhile, one more said: “At least he has character. Give him a chance at the wheel.”
United’s night got even worse after Van Nistelrooy’s booking as Omorodion grabbed his second to put the hosts in front.
Bruno Fernandes was then sent off during the final 10 minutes for the second time in five days.
But in stoppage time, Harry Maguire’s crucial late equalizer for his team saved Erik ten Hag’s blushes.
In the summer, Van Nistelrooy made a comeback to Old Trafford to work as Erik ten Hag’s assistant.
He managed PSV for a season before departing in 2023, the year the team won the Dutch Cup.
It took him eighteen years to return to United after he departed the team as a player in 2006.
During his five years with the squad, Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in 219 games and claimed four trophies, including the Premier League title.