Manchester United youngster Joe Hugill was full of praise for the impact of Ruud van Nistelrooy following his return to the club as part of Erik ten Hag’s backroom staff.
Hugill caught the eye as he got on the scoresheet in United’s 2-0 pre-season win over Rangers on Sunday.
The 20-year-old spent part of last season on loan at League One side Burton Albion but may now be pushing to be involved in the first team alongside Rasmus Hojlund and new summer signing Joshua Zirkzee.
Speaking after the game, Hugill was quick to praise the impact of former United striker Van Nistelrooy who has only recently returned to Old Trafford as one of Ten Hag’s new assistant managers alongside Rene Hake.
‘We’ve been doing a few shooting drills and he’s been giving us a few tips,’ he said.
‘But obviously it’s massive having Ruud here, especially for people like myself who are young and coming up. To have him in the building to just ask questions is massive.’
Pressed on what areas he had sought the Dutchman’s advice, Hugill answered: ‘In and out of possession. We were massively out of possession here – so work rate, getting back in.
‘And then in possession doing what a striker needs to do. Battle up there and then when you get in front of the goal being composed.’
‘It’s massive [to score early in the season], especially when you’re a striker,’ he continued. ‘You want to score every game but the reality is it’s probably not going to happen. To get an early goal in pre-season helps you start really well.
‘My target this summer is just to work hard, get the fitness up, try impress the manager and the coaching staff, and see what happens’
Van Nistelrooy has not been seen in the dugout since leaving Dutch side PSV Eindhoven before the end of the 2022/23 season.
But Ten Hag talked up the Dutchman’s potential impact back at the club, pinpointing his ‘great skillset as a manager’.
‘He will help individual players but definitely he will help the team in all the team functions in football, but definitely attacking-wise and pressing-wise,’ he added.
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