Ruud van Nistelrooy has swiftly taken down a controversial 2013 photo in which he wore ‘blackface’ at a Spanish festival, doing so shortly after being announced as Manchester United’s interim manager.
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The 2013 image, showing him dressed as Balthazar at Marbella’s Parade of the Three Kings, reignited debate on cultural representation in Europe.
Traditionally, Balthazar, depicted as a black king, appears in the annual Three Kings’ Day celebrations held every January in Spain, and similar portrayals have sparked discussions on cultural norms, including the contentious Dutch character, Zwarte Piet.
Van Nistelrooy’s unexpected return to United comes as Erik ten Hag’s tenure ended on Monday following a contentious defeat to West Ham.
While it remains uncertain how long the 48-year-old will serve as interim, discussions are underway to potentially bring in Ruben Amorim from Sporting Lisbon.
Nonetheless, Van Nistelrooy has a challenging task ahead and faces scrutiny as former teammate Gary Neville calls for tactical adjustments, suggesting a shift to a three-man defense.
Neville, assessing the team’s current setup, explained that this formation could offer United greater defensive stability and allow wing-backs to push forward more effectively.
The former United striker now prepares for a Carabao Cup matchup against Leicester and will meet with the press on Tuesday.
