In the discussion of the best ‘first season stars’ in Premier League history, Alan Shearer highlights Ruud van Nistelrooy as one of the finest finishers ever in the league.
Reflecting on legendary strikers who graced Old Trafford, including Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Andy Cole, Shearer emphasizes the goal-scoring prowess lacking in the current Manchester United squad.
Addressing van Nistelrooy’s impact, Shearer, along with Micah Richards and Gary Lineker on Match Of The Day Top 10’s, acknowledges the Dutch forward’s exceptional finishing abilities.
Despite being ranked 9th in the list of ‘first season stars,’ Shearer praises van Nistelrooy as an outstanding goalscorer known for his positional brilliance.
The legendary forward’s £19 million move from PSV showcased his goal-scoring prowess, even though Manchester United didn’t clinch the title in his debut season.
Shearer’s evaluation, while marking van Nistelrooy lower in the rankings, recognizes the striker’s debut season feat of netting 36 goals, establishing him as one of the premier league’s best debutants in history.
The Dutchman’s prolific scoring continued, contributing significantly to Manchester United’s Premier League title win in the following season, where he scored 44 goals. Van Nistelrooy’s legacy remains as one of the club’s greatest finishers.