EXCITEMENT among Manchester United fans ahead of the new season is on the up after seeing Ruud van Nistelrooy take on an “intense” training session.
The Dutch legend, 48, has returned to the club to be part of a revamp of Erik ten Hag‘s support staff.
It is hoped he can provide fresh impetus for the attack after they scored just 57 goals in the Premier League last season.
And an open training session on the club’s pre-season US tour has fans believing he is doing just that.
Sky Sports host Melissa Reddy was present at the session in Los Angeles, describing it as “intense” as Van Nistelrooy oversaw an attacking drill prioritising “repetitive patterns”.
Reddy explained the aim was to condition the players to make the same movements so they are automatic on a matchday, while the drill was said to be “very very competitive”.
She added that Ten Hag had been happy about a “renewed dynamism, energy and determination” in the team.
Fans were also left excited by what they were seeing, with one writing on social media: “Our attackers are gonna be the best in the league.”
A second said: “We are cooking.”
A third added: “Good days are coming.”
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Training footage of a rondo also had fans convinced Man Utd were on course to win the league.
Ten Hag, who has won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, added that Van Nistelrooy’s presence was also aimed at getting Marcus Rashford back to his best.
Rashford, 26, scored just eight goals last season, a significant drop off from the 30 he bagged the year before.
The former Ajax boss said: “That is the reason why he is here.
“But not only for the strikers, he is much more than this but Rashford can only improve himself.
Goalkeepers: Tom Heaton, Demot Mee, Andre Onana, Radek Vitek.
Defenders: Harry Amass, Rhys Bennett, Jonny Evans,Will Fish, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Sam Murray, Aaron Wan-Bissaka,Leny Yoro.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Toby Collyer, Christian Eriksen, Hannibal, Jack Fletcher, Sam Mather, Scott McTominay, Mason Mount, Maxi Oyedele, James Scanlon.
Forwards: Antony, Amad, Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Ethan Wheatley.
Reported injured: Tyrell Malacia
Left out: Joshua Zirkzee, Altay Bayindir, Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Facundo Pellistri and Luke Shaw.
“He is capable, he scores so many goals and at a relatively young age, so many goals, so he is capable of it.
“I am confident and have 100 per cent belief he can do the same as two years ago.”
Van Nistelrooy, who previously managed Dutch side PSV, is not the only former manager to have joined Man Utd despite being a head honcho elsewhere.
Swedish manager Andreas Georgson was announced as the latest addition yesterday, while Rene Hake and Jelle ten Rouwelaar have also joined the staff ranks this summer.
After matches against Rosenborg and Rangers, the next pre-season test for Man Utd will come against Arsenal on Saturday.
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