In scoring the winner against Brentford, Hojlund showed the composure and clinical finishing ability that was Van Nistelrooy’s forte during a five-year spell at Old Trafford that yielded 150 goals in 219 games.
It has become commonplace to ask every United forward about the impact Van Nistelrooy, who returned to the club as an assistant manager this summer, is having on their game.
In Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, he has two talented but raw strikers that he can fine-tune on the Carrington training pitches.
But the 48-year-old has a more hands-on role at the club than just taking the strikers for a few finishing drills. He has become a visible presence next to Erik ten Hag on the touchline. He was the attack dog on Saturday, marching down the touchline to remonstrate with fourth official Gavin Ward after Brentford’s controversial opener.
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