(foto: Getty Images)
Son Heung-Min, now a Premier League star with Tottenham Hotspur, recently shared how former Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy played a crucial role in his early career.
Son, who has spent over nine years at Tottenham, admitted he had a soft spot for Manchester United growing up, mainly due to his admiration for Ji-sung Park.
Speaking on Pro:Direct Soccer’s YouTube channel a few years ago, Son said, “[I supported] Manchester United because obviously, Ji-sung Park was playing.” Despite being a United fan in his youth, Son never made the move to Old Trafford. Now 32 years old, it seems unlikely he ever will.
Son has faced United 19 times in his career, scoring five goals, including one directly from a corner during Tottenham’s 4-3 Carabao Cup win. Even legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly wished he could have managed Son, but United never capitalized on their interest in him.
Son’s professional journey began at Hamburg, where he broke into the first team in 2010. During that time, he crossed paths with Van Nistelrooy, who had just joined Hamburg after leaving Real Madrid. The Dutchman quickly noticed Son’s talent, even posting on social media in 2011, “My teammate Son Heung-Min, massive talent. 18 years old… Watch out for him. Class!”
In a recent TNT Sports interview, Son looked back at those formative years and fondly recalled how Van Nistelrooy acted as a mentor and father figure to him. “I started in the youth team in Hamburg, and I got a first-team call-up when I was 17. I went to the changing room really early, and as soon as Ruud came I couldn’t believe it. I was shaking,” Son said.
He continued, “I had an unbelievable pre-season but unfortunately I broke my foot. I was on crutches, and the next day we had a team picture. He [Van Nistelrooy] came to me and said, ‘We are going to wait for you’. I started crying because it was so meaningful.”
Van Nistelrooy’s support left a lasting impression on Son. “Those words coming from a world-class player meant so much. He was like, ‘If you need anything, come and speak to me.’ He was so good—he was like my dad. He gave me so much advice, and I learned a lot from him,” Son said.
Van Nistelrooy, who is now managing Leicester City, will reunite with Son when Leicester faces Tottenham on January 26th. Son concluded by saying, “He’s now a manager at Leicester, and I can’t wait to see him.”
While Manchester United might regret not signing Son when they had the chance, he has gone on to become a star for Tottenham and one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers. With his deep connection to Van Nistelrooy and boyhood admiration for United, Son’s career could have taken a very different path had the Red Devils acted on their interest years ago.