What Manchester United interim Rudd van Nistelrooy said about Noni Madueke just before his move to Chelsea

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Noni Madueke is set for a reunion with Rudd van Nistelrooy when Chelsea take on Manchester United this weekend.

Rudd van Nistelrooy, who was appointed as Manchester United interim boss earlier this week, managed Noni Madueke at PSV Eindhoven.

United will have to watch out for Madueke, who has been one of Chelsea‘s best players this season. In eight Premier League games, the winger has scored four goals.

Madueke has actually touched the ball in the box more times than Chelsea teammate Cole Palmer.

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Rudd van Nistelrooy appreciated Noni Madueke’s quality

Van Nistelrooy will not be surprised to see Madueke shining in the Premier League this term.

He described the 22-year-old as a “good player” just before his move to Chelsea in 2023, understanding that PSV could not turn down the offer for him.

“[It’s] a mix of emotions,” Van Nistelrooy was quoted as saying by Goal. “We lose a good player because of his departure. There was no turning back and there was a solid financial compensation. I can empathise with the interest of the club.”

Madueke is now one of the first names picked at Chelsea, according to Arsenal legend Alan Smith.

Noni Madueke likely to start against Manchester United

With Jadon Sancho unable to play against his parent club on Sunday, Pedro Neto will be expected to keep his spot on the left.

Neto started there in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle United last weekend and managed to register an assist.

It means there is no real competition for Madueke on the right. But even if Enzo Maresca had all of his options available, the England international still would have been the favourite to start.

Again, Madueke has been one of Chelsea’s top performers in the current campaign. If United are to get something from this game, then he is one man whom they are going to have to stop.

The same applies for Palmer. Maresca decided not to play Palmer against Newcastle last night, so the former Manchester City man should be feeling fresh going into the fixture.