Former Premier League star is invited to Manchester United to help him start his coaching career, having previously worked with assistant manager Steve McClaren

A former Premier League star has been offered the chance to gain some coaching experience at Manchester United as he looks to kickstart his career on the touchline.

Having called time on his playing days last year after winning 147 international caps, the player is now considering moving into coaching.

He has been offered a helping hand in the early stages of his development by United’s assistant coach Steve McClaren, who he played under in the Netherlands.

Bryan Ruiz and McClaren won the Eredivisie together at FC Twente, and now the ex-Fulham forward has revealed his former boss has reached out to him about an opportunity at United.

Speaking about life after hanging up his boots, Ruiz told Dutch publication De Telegraaf: ‘I go to the gym, I play tennis and padel.

Bryan Ruiz (third from left) played for Fulham between 2011 and 2015

He has been offered the opportunity to gain coaching experience at Man United under Steve McClaren (left) and Erik ten Hag (right)

‘The first six months after I stopped, I took completely time off and only spent time with my family. Now I have started as a trainer for the U17 of Deportivo Alajuelense.

‘To find out whether I am good at being a trainer and also whether I enjoy it enough. I have now received an invitation to come and see Steve McClaren and Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. Those are fun things to do.’

Ruiz appears to be interested in taking the chance to work with Ten Hag and McClaren, in a move that would see him return to England for the first time in eight years.

Ruiz spent four years at Craven Cottage between 2011 and 2015, scoring 13 goals in 107 appearances for Fulham.

During this period he also sparkled on the international stage, as he helped Costa Rica advance to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup before they were eliminated on penalties by the Netherlands.

A year after that historic World Cup for his nation, Ruiz left Fulham to join Sporting Lisbon, and he went on to play for Santos in Brazil and LD Alajuelense in his homeland before retiring.