Ruud van Nistelrooy led Manchester United training on Friday with the Dutchman encouraging a change in attacking approach.
The Dutchman, one of the most lethal finishers in Premier League history, has opted to return to Old Trafford and work as a coach under Erik ten Hag. The ex-PSV boss will particularly aid United's productivity in the final third and has been urging them to make more of their wingers.
The Red Devils have based themselves at the Wallis Annenberg Stadium across campus at UCLA and Van Nistelrooy led an attacking drill that saw the respective teams score double points if they scored directly from a cross, with zones coned off to emphasise the areas to attack, reports the Daily Mail.
Van Nistelrooy is clearly attempting to get the United players to further utilise their wide players and highlight the advantages that come from putting balls into the box. The club have some of their most exciting players, the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, operating from out wide.
Rasmus Hojlund proved last term that he was a threat when balls were delivered into the box and that may be a motivation behind United's attacking drills.
The Red Devils were the joint lowest scorers in the Premier League's top ten last term - only finding the net on 57 occasions. That was some 39 less than the league best and was in part down to some of their leading lights in attack failing to fire.
Marcus Rashford was among those to endure a poor campaign, which came after the most prolific season of his career. Ten Hag is hopeful that Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 times across five seasons in Manchester, can help the forward rediscover his best form.
He said: “That is a reason why he is here, but not only for the strikers. He is much more than this. But Rashford can only prove himself and he is capable of it. He has scored so many goals already at a relatively young age. So, he's capable of it. So I'm confident and 100% believe he can do the same as two years ago.”
United have signed frontman Joshua Zirkzee in an attempt to further improve their attacking options. He isn't part of their pre-season in LA because players who made the semi-finals of the Euros were given more time off after the tournament. Zirzkee is likely to report to Carrington the week before the Community Shield against on August 10.
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2024-07-27T11:45:42Z dg43tfdfdgfd