What did the team win? Not disrespectful to compare him with Haaland at all they’re both terrifying to play against and guarantee a goal in most matches.
Van Nistelrooy was absolutely crucial in winning us the title in 2002/03 against an outstanding Arsenal team with a brilliant end to that season. That Arsenal team probably should have won 3 in a row and broke the away wins record the previous season and then went invincible the following season. From the 22 March:
- A hat-trick, all 3 goals in a 3-0 win against Fulham - where he scored the best goal he ever did for the club, a mazy dribble from halfway
- First two goals in a 4-0 win over Liverpool
- Goal against Newcastle in 6-2 win
- First goal in key draw against Arsenal away - where he destroyed Sol Campbell and then dinked over the keeper, brilliant goal
- The first goal in a 3-1 win over Blackburn - fantastic header
- Scored against Spurs in 2-0 win - clinching goal
- Hat-trick against Charlton in 4-1 win - hat-trick to clinch the title
- Scored against Everton in 2-0 win.
So that season he finished with 13 goals in the last 8 games, scoring in all 8 games.