So keen is the Dutchman to help Rossi develop that he had to be forcibly stopped from joining in the on-pitch celebrations by a match official when his young team-mate netted his first senior goal at Sunderland in October.

The 19-year-old admits Van Nistelrooy’s help has been invaluable in his development. But even from afar, Rossi admits he could not help learning from the former PSV Eindhoven maestro.

Rossi explained: “I work with Ruud sometimes after training and he is world class.

“When you watch him, it is incredible. You can learn everything from him.

“He is a great finisher, is great at turning, has great pace and awareness of where the goal is. I just sit back and admire him.”

Unfortunately for Rossi, if Van Nistelrooy cannot find a starting berth in the current United side, there is little chance of him doing so at present.

Although he was on the bench for Saturday’s win at West Brom, the last of Rossi’s 10 senior appearances this season came in the FA Cup third round replay win over Burton in January.

The American-born Italian scored twice that night, justifying Sir Alex Ferguson’s belief he is the best natural goalscorer to emerge through the Old Trafford ranks since Paul Scholes over a decade ago.

Ferguson’s obvious problem is how to ensure his career does not stall through lack of opportunity.

Rossi’s 26 reserve team goals this season indicate he has already grown too good for that level of competition and, while a loan move has already been ruled out this season, he would not be averse to leaving Old Trafford for a short period next term.

“I want to gain experience,” he admitted.

“One way of doing it might be to go out on loan, hopefully in the Premiership.

“Nothing is going to happen this year but I guess next season there might be talks about it.”

Given the praise Ferguson has consistently lavished on Rossi, any deal which sees him leave United will be with the specific intention of aiding his quest for a first-team spot at United.

Not that the striker, who has stated his desire to play internationally for Italy above his native United States, is getting carried away by the plaudits of his manager.

“I have heard what the manager said about me but I just let it go in one ear and out of the other,” he said.

“If you started to think about all these great words, you would just get lost and I need to stay focused on my football.

“My dream is to come through the ranks and play at United, like so many have done before me.

“It is going to be tough getting into the side when you have Ruud, Louis Saha and Wayne Rooney in front of you because they are three great strikers.

“But I will just continue to give it 100% and hope, in a few years, I get to where they are.”