Ruud van Nistelrooy, a former striker for Manchester United, is someone Rasmus Hojund is still getting to know, but he already said the player has given him “a lot of good advice”.
Hojlund scored the game-winning goal against Brentford, displaying the calmness and clinical finishing touch that Van Nistelrooy was known for during his five-year tenure at Old Trafford, which saw him score 150 goals in 219 games.
Every United forward is now often questioned about how Van Nistelrooy, who rejoined the team last summer as an assistant manager, is affecting their performance. He can hone his two gifted but undeveloped strikers on the Carrington training pitches: Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.However, the 48-year-old is involved in more than just leading the strikers in a few finishing exercises for the team. He’s now a noticeable presence on the touchline next to Erik ten Hag. Following Brentford’s contentious opening, he was the attack dog on Saturday, storming down the touchline to confront fourth official Gavin Ward.
After Hojlund’s dinked finish past Mark Flekken, United used that rage as fire for their second-half comeback. Van Nistelrooy pounded the air and gave Ten Hag an embrace after witnessing the deft finish find the back of the net. The 21-year-old’s second goal of the season would have thrilled him, and although Hojlund is enjoying training alongside a striker of such caliber, he is also in competition with him for playing time.
He responded, “Everyone’s asking me this question,” when asked about the significance of Van Nistelrooy. He assists us on a daily basis, but he also benefits the midfield and defense.
“Aside from being an excellent assistant coach, he is undoubtedly a fantastic attacker. You’re attempting to find out everything there is to know about him and related topics.
Since I haven’t been back for a little over a month, I haven’t had a lot of time to absorb everything he has taught me. But he’s definitely given me a lot of insightful counsel.”
Only 13 minutes into his preseason campaign, Hojlund suffered a hamstring injury, although in the very game against Arsenal, he had already scored. After needing to wait patiently to get back to full fitness, he has now scored twice in his last three games—all of which he has started—and, following his 16-goal season in his debut season, he has reclaimed his spot in the starting lineup against summer acquisition Zirkzee.
The Dane, who took over Anthony Martial’s No. 9 shirt this summer and had made a great start to that friendly, acknowledged that the injury had come at a “annoying time.” He did, however, maintain his optimism throughout his recuperation, and he is beginning to look well once more.
“I tried to focus on [the fact] that I’m very privileged to be a professional footballer,” he stated. “Yes, there are ups and downs, and we receive criticism as well as moments when we become celebrities, but overall, I get to live the life of my dreams every day.
It’s a great life to be playing for Manchester United and wearing the number nine on my back. I only tried to concentrate on one area, but I could have equally well concentrated on everything else. Trying to improve my recuperation and get even fitter for when I return. I believe that right now I’m in a terrific place.”