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.
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.
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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.”
Another added: “At least he’s showing some passion for the game. Erik just sat there.”
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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.
Erik ten Hag’s blushes were spared in stoppage time, though, as Harry Maguire scored a vital late equaliser for his side.
Van Nistelrooy returned to Old Trafford in the summer as an assistant to Erik ten Hag.
He previously spent a season in charge of PSV before leaving in 2023 after winning the Dutch Cup.
His return came 18 years after he left United as a player back in 2006.
During five years with the club, Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in 219 appearances and won four trophies, including a Premier League title.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
