Ruud van Nistelrooy believes that he and on-form Diego Forlan are beginning to click as a partnership.
Ruud bagged a brace against Rangers after Forlan had netted his fourth goal in as many starts, and the Dutchman is optimistic about their ability to work together.
He said: "It can work into a great partnership. If you see his qualities and my qualities they can adapt together.
"It does take time but you can see things going on on the pitch and we can do well together.
"Diego is on a great run and they have all been important goals.
"It is great to see that he is doing so well because he had a hard time at the beginning of the season when he didn't play much, then all of a sudden he asked to play and it is not easy to perform straightaway.
"But he did it and now he is on his great run. He has got his rhythm and confidence and he is a great value to us."
Ruud Van Nistelrooy's goal 'drought' is over, so quickly that the striker didn't realise he was in his worst goalscoring run since joining United!
Two goals against Rangers took the Dutchman's tally to 11 goals this season, and 91 in total for United from 117 appearances, but they were his first strikes in four games.
Despite the media hype surrounding the Dutchman's relatively barren run, he never let it affect his game.
He said: "I wasn't aware it was my worst run and I didn't feel really bad because I think I have played some decent games and I wasn't a liability.
"I had my chances and I played all right but obviously as a striker you are judged on scoring goals. It's a fact that if I don't score for four games it's news, but it is also what I have done in the past and it is normal for a striker.
"People are going to look at it, but I don't have any problems. I take that criticism because it's true and I just to keep my own game going and look towards the next one.
"I am not the type who worries quickly because of four games no goals. I wasn't really worried about it there is always the next game and you have to be ready for it."
Ruud van Nistelrooy got back on the goal trail with a brace in United's 3-0 win over Rangers in their Champions League clash at Old Trafford.
The Scottish champions fielded an attacking line-up for the 'Battle of Britain' but found themselves behind after just six minutes.
Skipper Roy Keane's cross was headed into the path of Forlan by Michael Ball and the Uruguayan curled a glorious volley past Stefan Klos from 18 yards.
C. Ronaldo was posing real problems for the Gers defence but his cross was headed just over the crossbar by Ruud van Nistelrooy on 10 minutes.
The visitors' best chance fell to Michael Mols after a fine pass from Ball, but the Dutchman snatched at the attempt and steered a first-time shot harmlessly wide.
And United ended the half on a high note after Forlan's 43rd-minute strike hit the crossbar and deflected off van Nistelrooy into the net to end his recent goal drought.
The hosts picked up where they had left off after the interval, with van Nistelrooy stabbing home Ryan Giggs' cross from close range on 60 minutes.
The Dutchman was rampant and was only denied a hat-trick by two fantastic saves from Klos, who blocked his first attempt and tipped a cheeky chip over the crossbar.
Michael Ball tested United keeper Tim Howard with a fierce free-kick but the American was up to the task when he was rarely called upon.
And David Bellion and Kleberson came on in the closing stages as United cruised through to secure a victory which all-but guarantees their progress to the last 16.
Sir Alex Ferguson is not worried by Ruud van Nistelrooy's scoring drought as Diego Forlan is hitting the back of the net for Manchester United.
Forlan struggled for goals when he first joined the club last year - but is now enjoying his hottest streak in a red shirt.
The Uruguayan international has scored in each of his last three games, with Portsmouth the latest victims on Saturday to add to goals against Leeds and Fulham last month.
Injury to Paul Scholes means Forlan is set to partner van Nistelrooy up front against Rangers in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Dutchman, in contrast, has not scored for a month and has gone more than nine hours without finding the net from open play.
He is also embroiled in a row with Dutch national team manager Dick Advocaat which Ferguson is convinced is affecting his club form.
Ferguson, who was a striker himself, said of the pair's contrasting form: "It would help Ruud with everything if he scored but it does happen with strikers.
"When they don't score, they don't think they are contributing and when they do score, they think they are wonderful.
"It never changes with strikers. I thought on Saturday Ruud played very well. His link-up play and work-rate were terrific.
"He's not doing a lot wrong with his team play so if he continues that way he is making a great contribution to us.
"And Diego is scoring the goals for us so somebody is getting them."
Van Nistelrooy will no doubt be keen to end his goal drought at Rangers' expense and add to his reputation in the Champions League.
He is the competition's second top scorer of all time, with 31 goals. That total also belongs to Alessandro del Piero of Juventus, with Real Madrid's Raul a clear leader with 44.
Ferguson made it clear the player was already resigned to missing out on his country's forthcoming Euro 2004 play-off games.
He said: "I think he probably knows he is not playing against Scotland - but I think it is a distraction.
"I don't think it is an easy situation for him. I hope he can score quickly and put things behind him."
Ruud van Nistelrooy has revealed the depth of his disenchantment with Holland manager Dick Advocaat.
The Manchester United striker claims there has been a breakdown in trust with Advocaat who has preferred to use Barcelona forward Patrick Kluivert as his spearhead in recent matches.
The tense relations between the two men came to the fore when Van Nistelrooy threw a tantrum during the Euro 2004 qualifier with the Czech Republic when he was replaced.
Advocaat dropped him from the subsequent match with Moldova although the player has since apologised.
However, in remarks reported by L`Equipe and repeated by Algemeen Dagblad, Van Nistelrooy revealed his unhappiness.
"Considering the fact that he substitutes me systematically, I don't feel any trust in him," Van Nistelrooy said.
Little chance
He believes he has no chance of starting in the Euro 2004 play-off matches with Scotland.
He said: "It will be Patrick Kluivert. I have no doubts at all, even though Advocaat hasn't said a word yet.
"I don't like to say it but I feel that it will go like this. I am on the bench against Scotland.
"But OK, the most important thing is that we qualify for Portugal."
Ironically Kluivert has recently fallen out of favour with his boss at Barcelona, Frank Rijkaard, while Van Nistelrooy enjoys the total confidence of United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Van Nistelrooy continued: "During the qualifiers I have played five matches and in those games I have been substituted four times after 60 to 70 minutes.
"I have asked Advocaat: `Am I your striker or not? He said yes but looking at the systematic substituting of me I feel no confidence from the manager.
"So I have told him: you have to give me a real chance or you must start with another player.
"I will give 100 percent in the time that I will get then."
RUUD: DIEGO AND I CAN CLICK
Previous Page •
Print this page
