Gary Neville urges Ruud van Nistelrooy to make huge call as interim Man Utd manager

has suggested that Ruud van Nistelrooy could potentially switch to a back-three formation in order to address their defensive woes. Van Nistelrooy, the club's legendary former striker, has been appointed as interim manager following the dismissal of .

He had been working closely with Ten Hag since his surprise return in the summer and is now tasked with enhancing the team's performance until a permanent successor is appointed.

Inheriting a team currently sitting at 14th position and struggling in various areas, one of which being defence, Van Nistelrooy faces a significant challenge.

With Ten Hag failing to find a successful defensive combination and Matthijs de Ligt not making the expected impact, Neville suggests that a back three could provide more stability.

Neville also highlighted the offensive strengths of the club's full-backs, such as Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui, suggesting that their skills could be better utilised in a wing-back role within a back three formation.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Neville said: "He can set the team up differently. That's something that could happen, he could make the make-up of the team slightly different.

"But he's been on the bench with Erik ten Hag, so I'd be amazed if there was something drastic in the next few games. I believe that ultimately, there needs to be quite a lot of work done with those players because, at this moment in time, they are desperately struggling.

"Ruud van Nistelrooy will do his very best. I have thought for a number of months that, looking at the players that United have that they'd maybe be better suited to going three at the back.

"Just purely because of the lack of a centre-back pairing, and the full-backs look better going forward than they do defensively, so maybe that could happen.

"Maybe that might give them a bit more comfort because it would give them an extra body at the back and players would be in a system where they got more support."

"That's something I've thought for a few months. Whether that's the right way to go, I'm not sure.

"We'll see against Leicester on Wednesday if he agreed with what Erik was doing because he'll pick a different team if he didn't."

Ten Hag has long been criticised for United's lack of playing identity despite being known for his distinctive style at Ajax. Pundits have frequently questioned what the Dutchman is trying to achieve with his team.

This season, only Southampton, currently languishing in the relegation zone, have netted fewer goals than the Red Devils.

Van Nistelrooy was brought in to bolster the attacking prowess and now has the opportunity to express his own ideas.

Footage has emerged this season of Ten Hag and Van Nistelrooy seemingly at odds in the dugout. It will soon become apparent how contrasting their ideas were.