Former Real Madrid and Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has praised young midfielder Jude Bellingham.

The former Netherlands international praised the midfielder, saying the England international performed admirably, exceeding expectations from fans and the club.

Nistelrooy spent four seasons at Real Madrid, where he scored 64 goals and provided 16 assists in 96 appearances in all competitions.

During his days at Santiago Bernabeu, this former striker won the La Liga Golden Boot in his first season when he scored 25 goals in 37 appearances. He praised Bellingham’s surprising goalscoring form and his impressive first season at the club.

Van Nistelrooy told AS: “The fact that Jude scores so many goals is a bonus. He is an excellent all-round player who appears in the second line phenomenally; he runs, he defends , he has a vision of the game and he makes quick transitions. We can’t ask him to be a goalscorer, but he is.’

“His season has been spectacular and must be given due weight. Ancelotti’s change of role is not a problem; he performs well wherever he is placed because he is a good footballer.”