Manchester United: Ruud vs Ferguson revisited
Ruud van Nistelrooy claims Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s treatment of him ‘kicked his soul’ and forced the Dutch striker to leave Old Trafford and join Real Madrid.
It’s a bit pointless to revisit a matter that’s done and dusted with, but it’s still good to hear from Ruud van Nistelrooy once in a while. As it is, his latest interview tells us how he ‘lost it’ when he was not played in the Carling Cup final last year.
Van Nistelrooy was left as an unused substitute during United’s Carling Cup final win over Wigan at the Millennium Stadium last season and he insists Ferguson’s decision to keep him out of the action was the moment he knew he had no future with United.
“After an hour we were 4-0 in front and I was desperate to come on with still 30 minutes left, maybe score a goal and be able to lift the trophy.”
“First Kieran Richardson was brought on, then Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra, who had only arrived two weeks before. I exploded and began swearing at Ferguson because I felt he had kicked my soul.”
“That was the moment things died and, after that, things would never be good, they could never be the same again.”
A sign of pigheadedness if you ask me. As far as I know Ruud has never apologised for his actions (not in public at least), but he could apologise to the fans at least? After the countless arguments in which Manchester United have supported Ruud’s cause as one of the best strikers in the world (when opposition fans got a kick out of calling him a one-trick pony and not a complete footballer), maybe we need some acknowledgment as well?
“I find it rather tragic,” he told World Soccer.
“This was the man who visited me in hospital when I had my bad knee injury while I was with PSV. This was the man who wanted me at all costs. It was because our relationship was so warm that this situation was so painful.”
As far as Manchester United and SAF are concerned, it’s great to see that things turned out so well but what if Ruud had stayed?
To think that Manchester United’s destiny hinges on the egos of our star players (and that of our manager) is slightly distressing.
- What if Ruud had stayed at Manchester United?
- Ferguson Arranges for Ruud Departure From Manchester United
- Ruud Rumors
- Manchester United Turn Tables On Ruud
- Manchester United May Not Buy Ruud Replacement
Discussion - 7 Responses
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SAF was right to drop him. He was a great player, no doubt. But Saha deserves his spot as he showed more pace and control. Still I feel Saha should play ahead of larsson
Saha ahead of RVN & larrson no way. He has missed almost all the one on one’s with the goalkeeper.He is not a clinical finisher
Saha reminds me a lot about Cole … too many chances.
Pity over RVN though…
so basically Ruud you wanted to come on in a match when you wasn’t needed but itwas a great chance for Fergie to give some new players some great experience! you were good Ruud but not god! good riddens, also, why the long face!!!!!
RVN just dosnt get it does he? Saha had to start in the final since he had played in all the previous rounds and scored. RVN just expected to be picked for the big games and when he wasn’t he got a sulk on about it! How would he feel if he had done well in all the matches of a competition and then got dropped for the final just because someone else with an attitude wanted to play himself.
Get over it Ruud, there were bigger fish to fry than the carling cup and he just couldnt see past it!
You left out one thing Ahmed. Ruud’s attitude. He clearly disdained rotation yet we needed it to help him recharge batteries from time to time. Thus if we still had him, once rotated, he would have sulked and his goals would have dried up. And with the way we played with him in the side we were over reliant on him to score. Ruud without goals and on pitch would mean less penetration from us, less goals and less wins. If Ruud was the Ruud of 3 years back, with a great attitude keeping him would have worked. But the current Ruud, the arrogant Ducthman, with a primadonna attitude would have been the poison we didn’t need in the dressing room.
Besides, Ronaldo wouldn’t have stayed with him around after what Ruud had said to him last season about his father…..
So I’m happy we chose Ronaldo over Ruud.
I personally think Ruud was unfairly treated and proof is that now MU are struggling to get goals from Saha. The exchange of bitter words will not help, though, so Ruud should do what he does best - soldier on and portray that sporting character he so well knows and practices. Sir Alex is an old dog and quite fatherfigure, His achievements speak volume. He always gets his cookies 100%.