Manchester United fans have spotted a link between Wout Weghorst and Ruud van Nistelrooy after the former scored his first Old Trafford goal on Thursday night.
Weghorst has struggled in front of goal since joining United on loan in January, scoring just one goal in his first 14 appearances for the club.
His bad run looked set to continue against Real Betis on Thursday night, as the Dutch striker missed four good opportunities during the first leg of the Europa League last-16 tie.
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However, fortune favoured the brave and Weghorst finally found the back of the net in the 82nd minute, stabbing home from close range to give United a commanding 4-1 lead ahead of the second leg in Seville.
After coming under fire from critics and supporters, the towering striker was understandably emotional as he celebrated his goal.
Although the goal was nothing special, the celebration certainly was. Eagle-eyed United fans on Twitter soon noticed the striking resemblance of Ruud van Nistelrooy's goal celebration when he scored a penalty against Arsenal in 2004.
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While Van Nistelrooy's goal was arguably more significant - it ended Arsenal's 'Invincibles' team's unbeaten run - both celebrated in a similar way.
Both wheeled away to the left of the goal in front of the Stretford End with their arms outstretched. Both slid on their knees before bowing their heads, as if the weight of the world had been lifted off their shoulders.
Weghorst had scored a goal that should get some of his critics off his back and Van Nistelrooy had beaten his own demons.
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Just over a year earlier, the legendary Dutch striker missed a last-minute penalty against Arsenal that would have earned United the win. As it was the spoils were shared in a goalless draw, and Arsenal went on to win the title undefeated.
On the similarities, @Olielli89 said, "Dutch goalscoring catharsis", while @MousaGaucho said, "It's a Dutch thing."
History often finds ways of repeating itself in football. Whether Weghorst meant it or not, it appears to have happened again.
Topics: Wout Weghorst, Manchester United, Europa League, Real Betis, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Erik Ten Hag
Alex Brotherton