TEENAGE sharp-shooter Giuseppe Rossi is aiming to match Ruud van Nistelrooy's amazing scoring exploits at Manchester United.

The US-born Italian youth international has burst onto the Red Devils' first-team scene in the last fortnight, netting on his Premiership debut at Sunderland before marking his first senior start with a Carling Cup goal against Barnet.

Rossi's efforts have come as no surprise to those who watched the 18-year-old slam in goals from all angles last term as he inspired United's reserve side to an unprecedented four trophy haul.

Neither has Van Nistelrooy been shocked given the pair are such good friends; the Dutchman was intent on racing back onto the Stadium of Light pitch to celebrate with the youngster until he was stopped by an eagled-eyed fourth official.

It is Van Nistelrooy to whom Rossi looks for guidance during the formative stages of his career and the former PSV man who provides the targets he is aiming to reach.

"You always look up to the players who play in your own position so Ruud is the one I look to," said Rossi.

"He is one of the best goalscorers in the world and I am learning things from him all the time.

Heights

"I just want to do what he does and hopefully, one day, I can follow in his footsteps."

Sir Alex Ferguson persuaded Rossi to leave Parma in August 2004 with the promise of a quicker ascent to first-team heights than he was likely to get in Italy.

The United boss has been true to his word and Rossi was one of five teenagers in the Red Devils' starting line-up for Tuesday night's win.

It was a throwback to the very first time Ferguson used the secondary domestic competition to blood his young stars, when David Beckham and Paul Scholes were introduced against Port Vale.

Both were members of the famed 'Class of 92', which also spawned Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Nicky Butt and Robbie Savage.

And while he accepts it would be almost impossible to bring through six players of that standing in one youth side, Ferguson feels there are plenty of positive signs from the current crop.

"The group that won the Youth Cup was exceptional and it might never happen again that virtually an entire youth team all progressed to become first-team regulars but what these lads have done so far is pointing that way," said Ferguson.

"But, as always, the test is what happens when they come into the first-team and in that sense, it was unfortunate their goalkeeping got sent off last night. It would have been far better to play 11 against 11."

Do you think Rossi will one day match Van Nistelrooy's scoring exploits for United? Have your say.