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Lierse SK goalkeeper Kjell Peersman has revealed that Manchester United coach and former PSV Eindhoven boss Ruud van Nistelrooy is keeping close tabs on him.
Van Nistelrooy returned to United in the summer as part of INEOS’ reshuffle of Erik ten Hag’s backroom staff.
His arrival at the club has been hailed by a number of United forwards including Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who have credited him with helping them refine their trade on the training ground.
The former United talisman has also been very active on the touchline and has in fact been already booked twice for his passionate protestations.
Peersman, who is currently out on loan at Belgian outfit Lierse, worked under Van Nistelrooy in the Netherlands.
Van Nistelrooy gave the shot-stopper nine appearances, including his debut. However, his fortunes changed with the hiring of Peter Bosz as PSV gaffer.
To aid his development, Peersman was forced to leave PSV, at least temporarily.
The 20-year-old spoke to Gazet van Antwerpen (via SportWitness) and indicated that he remains in contact with Van Nistelrooy, who is keeping an eye on him at Lierse.
Peersman said, “I had an excellent relationship with former head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy.”
“But a lot has changed for me since the arrival of Peter Bosz. I still feel a lot of confidence from the club, you know. But this summer it was simply important for me to be able to become the first goalkeeper somewhere.”
“When it became clear that I would be loaned out for a year, suddenly many clubs were on the line but at Lierse I immediately felt the right click.”
“Here I could start the preparation as a full-fledged competitor of Jarno De Smet, who played every game last season. And I already knew the coach of Lierse.”
He added, “He (Van Nistelrooy) also follows Lierse’s performances closely. Our contact has remained very good after he left PSV, I still hear from him regularly. Although he is of course also very busy himself now as assistant of Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.”
At the moment, Lierse are in sixth place in the Challenger Pro League, having won four, lost three and drawn one of their eight opening fixtures. With Peersman in goal, Lierse have kept two clean sheets.
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