Interim head coach of Manchester United, Ruud van Nistelrooy, deleted a “blackened” photo in a suit

A 13-year-old image of Ruud van Nistelrooy dressed as a king with black make-up — An 11-year-old picture of Ruud van Nistelrooy dressed as a king with black make-up has been shared thousands of times – Getty Images/Europa Press

Ruud van Nistelrooy deleted a social media post depicting himself as “blackface” just hours after his appointment Manchester UnitedTemporary manager.

The 11-year-old image of the former prolific striker posing in a king’s suit with black make-up has been shared thousands of times. after he temporarily replaced Erik ten Hag.

Ruud van Nistelrooy took on the role of Middle Eastern king Balthazar — Van Nistelrooy disguised as Middle Eastern king Balthazar – Getty Images/Europa Press

However, after Telegraph Sport asked United if he planned to remove the post, the image was gone on X by 4 p.m.

Van Nistelrooy is adored at United for his five-year spell as a free-scoring forward, but he has previously managed just one season at senior level.

Photos of him in black make-up made headlines in 2013, long before he returned to the club in the summer. He participated in the Three Kings parade in Marbella, Spain, dressed as the Middle Eastern king Balthazar.

Ruud van Nistelrooy participates in the Three Kings Parade in Marbella, Spain, 2013 — Van Nistelrooy (left) took part in the Three Kings Parade in Marbella, Spain – Getty Images/Europa Press

Wearing black make-up is considered far more offensive in the UK than in his native Holland, where fans are regularly pictured wearing black at international tournaments.

The trick was done for a charity event. Together with two other “Kings”, Van Nistelrooy visited the hospital, where he gave gifts to the staff and distributed sweets to the children.

In 2013, Ruud van Nistelrooy dressed up for a charity event where he visited a hospital and handed out gifts to staff and sweets to children — Van Nistelrooy dressed up for a charity event where he visited a hospital and handed out gifts to staff and sweets to children – Getty Images/Europa Press

At the time, he posted several photos of his costume, writing: “In the hospital with gifts for young and old.”

However, many social media accounts took offense at the time, with betting website Paddy Power saying: “Ruud van Nistelrooy thought he was doing a good thing by visiting the hospital, but he thought nothing of it…”

In historical texts, Balthazar is traditionally depicted as a black man. In Spain, Three Kings Day is an annual post-holiday celebration held every January.

Meanwhile, Dutch cultural norms are a regular source of debate, and the Christmas character Zwarte (Black) Pete is still around, despite associations with the colonial era.

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