Paul Scholes fears Ruud van Nistelrooy did not back Man Utd’s big summer signing

Paul Scholes believes Ruud van Nistelrooy should have been given more say in Manchester United’s recent transfer business up front – suggesting the Dutchman may not have chosen Joshua Zirkzee last summer.

United have been desperately short of goals this season with only Southampton scoring less than Erik ten Hag’s side in the league so far this term.

The manager’s plans were hampered when Rasmus Hojlund suffered a hamstring injury during pre-season with the Dane making brief appearances off the bench in United’s last two games.

Zirkzee arrived at Old Trafford from Bologna in a deal worth £36.5m, scoring on his league debut against Fulham on the opening day of the season. Injuries have seen him start United’s last four games but the Netherlands international has not got on the scoresheet since.

Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals in 219 appearances for United, returned to the club last summer, joining Ten Hag’s staff as assistant manager.

With United so toothless in the attacking third, Scholes insists his former teammate should have been consulted throughout the process of bringing in another striker.

And in assessing United’s current options up top, the former midfielder is not convinced van Nistelrooy would have backed moves for Zirkzee or Hojlund.

Scholes was part of the SuperSport punditry team covering United’s dismal 3-0 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.

‘Coaches are control freaks, they want to do everything. If you were Ruud watching that, he is maybe thinking, “I will take a back seat, I don’t want to get involved in that”.’ he said.

‘He also has to be involved in the recruitment side of it, signing a centre forward. Or two centre forwards. “Ruud, who do you think?” I am not sure he would have picked Zirkzee. I am not sure he would have picked Hojlund.

‘Look, there is probably not a plethora of centre forwards out there. But you go consult him, wouldn’t’ you?’

Ten Hag will remain in charge of games against Porto and Aston Villa but is under pressure to swiftly improve results before the October international break.

Van Nistelrooy is reportedly considered a viable option to step in and take the reins on a short-term basis, should United decide to make a change.