Can Zirkzee follow Van Nistelrooy path?

It is over 18 years since Ruud van Nistelrooy left Manchester United as a player.

His 150 goals in five seasons puts him 11th on United's all-time scoring list but of those around him, only Tommy Taylor and Dennis Viollet get near his ratio of 0.68 goals a game.

It is unrealistic to expect Joshua Zirkzee to hit those numbers, especially as the 23-year-old is not an out-and-out striker as Van Nistelrooy clearly was.

But after so long in the doldrums, United supporters are desperate for another goalscoring hero - and, to that end, the £36.5m summer signing from Bologna could not have made a better start.

"I am very happy for him," said manager Erik ten Hag. "It will give him belief. It is a very good start.

"He has to arrive in the box because the main attribute for a striker is to score goals - and he did it."

As Van Nistelrooy is now a senior and vocal member of Ten Hag's coaching team, he is perfectly placed to offer Zirkzee advice about how to make the most of his attributes.

His size alone can cause defences problems but he will benefit from better appreciation of space because he can finish, as Fulham found to their cost on Friday.

It amounted to a very pleasing debut.

Goals can change perceptions. But Zirkzee has taken a significant step forward in his United career already.