Goal-shy Rasmus Hojlund sent ‘stay calm’ advice as Ruud van Nistelrooy bites back at suggestion over Man Utd attacking crisis

The Danish striker has scored just two goals this season and endured a frustrating afternoon in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea, even though he won the penalty from which United broke the deadlock. He will be hoping to kickstart his campaign at home to PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday, and United’s interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy advised him to not be discouraged by his recent struggles to find the net.

• WHAT VAN NISTELROOY SAID

  Van Nistelrooy told a press conference: “Stay calm and believe in himself, believe in his qualities like I do, like his team-mates do. He knows he’s young, he’s promising, it’s his daily work which will pay off.”

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United have taken just 12 points from 10 Premier League games, their worst start to a campaign since 1986-87. They have also scored the lowest amount of goals at this stage of a season in 51 years, their count of nine goals being the third worst in the Premier League, only ahead of Crystal Palace and Southampton. However, Van Nistelrooy disagreed with a journalist’s assessment that the team were not creating enough opportunities. He said: “I don’t agree we didn’t create enough chances, I think we’re creating one of the most, that’s why I said I’m not worried, we’re creating the chances, the players are still young, there is lots of potential. Results will keep coming and confidence will rise. That’s the key thing to goals, confidence, and hopefully that will come tomorrow.”

  DID YOU KNOW?

  United’s star summer signing Leny Yoro has returned to training for the first time since injuring his ankle in pre-season, just a few days after completing his £58m ($74m) move from Lille. Van Nistelrooy also explained that Tyrell Malacia is edging towards a return from a horrific knee injury saga, last playing for the club in May 2023. Harry Maguire is still doing rehab on his muscle injury but Luke Shaw is also back on the training pitch.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  The Europa League tie with PAOK is Van Nistelrooy’s penultimate game in charge of the team before Ruben Amorim begins work as the club’s next permanent coach. The Dutchman will oversee United’s Premier League clash at home to Leicester on Sunday, with Amorim set to arrive the next day. The Portuguese coach enjoyed a sensational 4-1 win over Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday in his final home game in charge of Sporting and will lead the team for one last time away to Braga, his former club, on Sunday.