MX23RW : Sunday, January 5 21:33:36| >> :60:377:377:

Ruud van Nistelrooy pays tribute to Romelu Lukaku

Former Manchester United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy backs Romelu Lukaku to continue his fine run of form for the Red Devils.

Former Manchester United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy has backed Romelu Lukaku to continue his fine run of form for the Red Devils.

Lukaku, who moved to Old Trafford from Everton during the summer, has scored six times in six appearances for United at the start of the 2017-18 campaign.

The Belgian international will look to continue his excellent start when Everton visit Manchester on Sunday afternoon, and Van Nistelrooy is "certain" that the 24-year-old will prove to be a goal-scoring machine for Jose Mourinho's side.

"Lukaku has made a good start at dealing with the pressure as a striker at United. There is always a price ticket around your neck, ­especially in the early matches. If you don't score, people say, 'Hey, he's not scoring'. But Romelu is scoring goals and I'm certain that will continue," Van Nistelrooy told reporters.

"Like me, I think he is a pure number nine, playing through the ­middle. You wouldn't put me on the wing. The same with him. I was the same type of player, making runs ­behind, dangerous in the box and holding the ball up.

"He has made a real difference to United. He has scored goals from the off and has the right boss, in Jose ­Mourinho, to guide him. There will be ­difficult phases to come. But Mourinho has been there and done it and will know how to guide him through any rough patches."

Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in 219 appearances between 2001 and 2006.

ID:307480: cacheID:307480:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2433:
Written by
Matt Law
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard celebrate during the game between Manchester United and Leicester City on September 24, 2016
Read Next:
Lingard: 'United can afford to rotate'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!