What is more remarkable is that van Nistelrooy freely admits almost all of them are heading to the keeper’s right but though his opponents may know where the ball is going, in nine attempts this season, none have come close to keeping it out.

“I practice after training every day,” said the £18.5m (€20m) signing from PSV, whose overall goal tally is now 34 for the season.

“I try to hit them in different corners and at different angles, which helps me a lot in situations like that.

“Anyone who has watched my penalties has seen what I do. I can hit them into the other corner – I just haven’t done it.”

Here, PA Sport chronicles van Nistelrooy’s successes from the spot.

August 27, v Zalaegerszeg (h). United were already cruising to an aggregate win when Sasa Ilic sent van Nistelrooy flying. Ilic was sent off and the first task his replacement Geza Turi had to complete was picking the ball out of the net as the Dutchman smashed it in.

September 3, v Middlesbrough (h). Van Nistelrooy keeps his nerve to score the only goal after Ugo Ehiogu had pulled him back in the box.

September 21, v Tottenham (h). Another matchwinner from the Dutch maestro, this time in the second half after Gary Doherty had sent Ole Gunnar Solskjaer flying.

January 4, v Portsmouth (h). The first penalty double for van Nistelrooy, who put United on the road to a 4-1 win after just four minutes when Linvoy Primus brought down Ryan Giggs. The striker was the victim second time around when he coaxed Hayden Foxe into making an ill-advised challenge.

January 22, v Blackburn (a). Van Nistelrooy was again the man sent tumbling, this time by Brad Friedel as he broke clear in the Worthington Cup semi-final. Once more he picked himself up, strode up and tucked home the shot which confirmed United’s Cardiff appearance.

March 22, v Fulham (h). The Cottagers had succeeded in frustrating United until Zat Knight tugged back Solskjaer a minute before the break. Van Nistelrooy wasted no time in putting the home side ahead.

April 5, v Liverpool (h). Hauled back by Sami Hyypia after just four minutes, Van Nistelrooy delivered maximum punishment by driving the opener to Jerzy Dudek’s left. When Igor Biscan kicked Paul Scholes midway through the second half, United’s top scorer delivered a repeat dose.