'Does it hurt?' - Ruud van Nistelrooy responds to uncomfortable question about Manchester United

Ruud van Nistelrooy isn't concerned about accusations that Manchester United lack a style of play.

United were forced to share the points with Chelsea in the Premier League last weekend, despite Bruno Fernandes breaking the deadlock in that game with just 20 minutes remaining.

Chelsea equalised just four minutes after Fernandes converted his penalty and Van Nistelrooy will be hopeful his side can return to winning ways in the Europa League against PAOK.

Although PAOK are the Greek champions, United are heavy favourites to claim their first win of the Europa League campaign and Van Nistelrooy has made three changes, with Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Amad replacing Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt and Marcus Rashford.

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Van Nistelrooy spoke to TNT Sports ahead of kick-off at Old Trafford and said: "Results were not good, there was a lot of pressure and it's not time for me to make big changes.

"I think my relationship with the team is very good and as an assistant manager you are a bit closer to the lads than the manager, so I have to say that helps me a lot now.

"I'm close with the players. We've really got it going together. We talked and communicated and said listen, come on, we've got four games together and let's make the most of it."

Van Nistelrooy was asked whether it 'hurt' him that pundits say United don't have a style of play and responded: "I didn't hear it, but when you tell me now, it's not of the biggest importance.

"Of course, I want to have the players on the pitch to play at their best, then you have to make a formation to play and a formation to defend and work on different skills.

"But I think confidence is such a big thing in football. Sometimes when the confidence is low and results are against you, it affects performances and style because all of a sudden you see players connecting and in the Leicester game we scored four goals in just one half.

"Wow, a great attacking style again, so it's a silly thing the confidence thing in football."

United have played FC Twente, FC Porto and Fenerbahce in the Europa League league phase so far and have drawn all three games, which means securing a win against PAOK is important.

The Reds must finish in the top eight to ensure automatic qualification to the knockout rounds in the competition.