"That's where we are at this moment" - Ruud van Nistelrooy identifies one problem Ruben Amorim faces as Manchester United head coach
Manchester United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has highlighted a glaring problem Ruben Amorim will face after taking charge at the club. The Dutchman has been serving as the Red Devils' interim boss following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag and will be in charge until Sunday, November 10.
Van Nistelrooy's final game as manager will see his side take on Leicester City at Old Trafford on Sunday. Ruben Amorim will take charge of Manchester United from the Dutchman on Monday, November 11.
Ahead of his final game as interim manager of the 20-time English champions, Van Nistelrooy has pinpointed a key issue for the Red Devils. He insisted that the lack of clinical goalscorers is dragging the club back. The Dutchman said in his press conference ahead of Leicester City game, as quoted by The Mirror:
"I agree that when you want to be a successful side in the Premier League and in Europe, which is what the build is all about, you need a certain amount of goals. That is clear. That is why the best teams in the world have those players."
The former Netherlands international added:
"At the moment, we have players who get a certain amount of goals and assists but they are in an age where they still need to be developed. There is potential they will be and the belief is there they can. That's where we are at this moment."
Manchester United have Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee as two natural options in the number nine role. However, the pair have only managed to find the back of the net thrice this season in total.
Hojlund joined the Red Devils in a reported £72 million deal from Atalanta in the summer of 2023. He has only scored 18 goals in 54 appearances thus far while producing two assists.
Meanwhile, Zirkzee joined the club in a reported £35.5 million deal this summer from Bologna. The Dutchman has been pretty underwhelming for the Premier League giants, having contributed one goal and two assists in 16 games.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka opens up on struggles at Manchester United
Former Manchester United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka has opened up on his struggles during his time at Old Trafford. The Englishman has revealed that he felt lonely while he was at the club.
The defender, who now plays for West Ham United, has admitted that he had only his PlayStation to accompany him in Manchester. He told Standard, as quoted by The Mirror:
"It was difficult. Very difficult. I went [to Manchester] on my own and it was my first time moving away from home. I had no one up there, apart from my PlayStation."
The former Manchester United full-back added:
"Because Manchester’s smaller, everyone’s aware of everything that’s happening. You have to be mentally strong to avoid the negative stuff it comes with."
Expectations were big from Wan-Bissaka when he was snapped up by Manchester United from Crystal Palace in 2019 in a deal worth a reported £45 million. However, he failed to live up to his price tag during his time at Old Trafford.
The former England under-21 international made 190 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring just twice while producing 13 assists. He won an FA Cup and a League Cup during his time at Old Trafford.