Rasmus Hojlund opens up on Ruud van Nistelrooy's impact behind the scenes at Man Utd
Ruud van Nistelrooy returned to Manchester United this summer after being appointed as one of Erik ten Hag’s assistants and already appears to be having a major impact at Old Trafford
by Daniel Orme · The MirrorRasmus Hojlund has hailed the influence of Ruud van Nistelrooy after harnessing some of the Dutchman’s finishing prowess.
The former Atalanta striker scored his second goal of the season in the weekend’s comeback victory against Brentford. Hojlund netted with a brilliant chip to complete the turnaround after Alejandro Garnacho’s equaliser.
The Dane’s strike was a finish certainly befitting of Van Nistelrooy at his peak. And Hojlund has been full of praise for his new coach since his return to Old Trafford.
"Everybody's asking me this question," he replied when asked about Van Nistelrooy's impact. "He's helping us every day, but he's also helping the defence and the midfield.
"He's a very good assistant coach, but obviously, he's a great striker. You're trying to learn everything about him and all these sort of things.
"I haven't had that long time to learn from him yet because I haven't been back for a little more than a month or so. But obviously, he's given me a lot of good advice."
Asked if the finish was right out of the Van Nistelrooy playbook, Hojlund was keen to cool comparisons between him and the former forward. He added: "A Van Nistelrooy finish? I don't want to be compared to him. If you want to talk about him, he is a role model for us. I can develop a lot alongside him.
"Working very close with Ruud van Nistelrooy is a big step for me. He is doing a great job. I'm trying to bring everything I can every time I step on the pitch, especially here at Old Trafford."
Who was United's man-of-the-match vs Brentford? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Hojlund now has two goals to his name this season - one each coming in the Premier League and Champions League. It comes after he saw the start of the season disrupted by injury.
But the Dane believes he is fully over his issues and is ready to kick on for the remainder of the campaign. He said: "Obviously, having an injury in the beginning of the season and now being 100 per cent fit is a very good experience. I'm just trying to bring everything I can every time I step onto the pitch, especially here."
Hojlund will be hoping to extend his positive form for the Red Devils across what is set to be a hectic week. United take on Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday ahead of a trip to West Ham at the weekend.
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