Red Devils ace: This Manchester United striker was my hero growing up

Daley Blind enjoyed watching the Dutchman score goals for United

DALEY BLIND has revealed the admiration he had for Ruud van Nistelrooy when he was growing up.

 

Van Nistelrooy spent five years at Manchester United, scoring 150 goals in 219 appearances for the Red Devils.

The Dutchman netter 36 goals in his debut season under Sir Alex Ferguson and Blind admits that it was a joy to watch him shine at Old Trafford.

"Ruud was a killer striker in the box!" he told ManUtd.com. "Every chance was a goal. He was quick as a player and always had a feeling for a good position as a striker.

"If you knew you had him in your team, you were very happy because he scored in most games. That was his big quality – he could score goals and create chances for himself out of nothing.

 

"The amount of goals he scored in his career, particularly for United, makes him a legend. 

"He was very important for the team and he helped United win some titles as well. You're always proud if a fellow countryman does something well at a big club like United. You look up to players like him.

"Scoring is the most important thing for a striker and that's why he will be remembered. One goal I always think of when people are talking about Ruud is the solo one from midfield [against Fulham in March 2003] that he scored. That was a fantastic goal."

Van Nistelrooy announced his retirement in 2012 after a brief spell with Malaga and now works as part of the coaching staff for his country.

 

Ruud van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in 219 appearances for Manchester United

Despite Netherlands failing to qualify for next summer's European Championships, Blind has enjoyed the chance to work under the striker and continue to develop his own game.

"I first met Ruud when he became the assistant manager for the Dutch team and he's a really great person," Blind added.

"Before that I only knew him from watching him in the past at the big clubs he played at, including, of course, United. I have some great images in my mind of him as a player and then I got to know him as a person. 

"He's a great personality and I think I can learn a lot from him at international level. It's funny now when we do some finishing exercises with the national team because you still see that he gets the ball, takes a shot and it's in. It's very impressive."