Manchester United youngster praises 'massive' impact of Ruud van Nistelrooy at Carrington

Man United have added Ruud van Nistelrooy to Erik ten Hag's backroom staff and Joe Hugill has praised his impact.

Manchester United youngster Joe Hugill has praised the impact of Ruud van Nistelrooy since his addition to the coaching staff.

Mitchell van der Gaag spent two years as Erik ten Hag's assistant manager but left the club this summer, which led to the appointments of Van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake.

It's an interesting move for Van Nistelrooy. He made an impressive start to his managerial career by winning the Dutch Cup as manager of PSV Eindhoven in 2023 and held talks to become the manager of Burnley before opting to join Ten Hag's backroom staff.

His return to United, where he spent five years as a player, has been warmly welcomed by fans and his arrival is expected to particularly benefit the forwards in the squad.

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United played Rangers in their second pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon and Hugill made it 2-0 in the second half with a superb, powerful strike.

When Hugill spoke to reporters after the game, he smiled when asked about Van Nistelrooy and said: "We've been doing a few shooting drills and he's been giving me a few tips.

"It's massive having Ruud here, especially for people like myself, young and coming up, to have him in the building, even to ask questions, is massive."

Van Nistelrooy has been appointed as a first-team coach and his responsibilities extend beyond helping forwards. "Definitely, even in and out of possession. We're massive on out of possession here," Hugill said about Van Nistelrooy giving advice in various different areas.

"So your work rate, getting back, and then in possession is doing what strikers do, battling up there and then when you get back in front of goal, being composed and finishing."

Hugill was delighted to score in United's second pre-season game: "It's massive [to score early in the season], especially when you're a striker. 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"

Hugill played the second half against Rangers and also came on at half-time against Rosenborg earlier in the week. Ten Hag was highly critical of United's performance in Norway and when asked about the Dutchman's reaction, Hugill said: "It was just to work a bit harder.

"It was the first game of pre-season, so there was obviously going to be a few mistakes, but I think after the week's training, kind of built up a lot more work and we were ready to go. It's tough every day with the first team, the demands are high, so you've got to be on it every day."

Hugill has just returned from his loan with Burton Albion, which gave him an experience of regular senior football. "It was a great loan, getting to a men's first-team changing room," he said.

"Having to fight for three points constantly in the league [was great] and playing Saturday then Tuesday was tough, but that's what you're there for at a young age."