May 22, 2006
Van Nistelrooy to resolve future after World Cup
Ruud van Nistelrooy does not expect his future at Manchester United to be resolved until after next month's World Cup, though he admits he cannot understand why he is being forced out of the club he loves.
The Dutch hitman fell out spectacularly with boss Sir Alex Ferguson towards the end of last season, beginning with his omission from the Carling Cup final, with Louis Saha getting the nod up front alongside Wayne Rooney instead.
Van Nistelrooy continually found himself playing second fiddle behind the Saha-Rooney partnership, culminating in him leaving Man United's team hotel after being told teenager Giuseppe Rossi would start for the last league game of the season against Charlton.
To make matters worse, the striker was then forbidden from attending ex-skipper Roy Keane's testimonial.
'I know a lot of people in Manchester don't understand it, well it is the same for me. I love Manchester United. That is why I don't really understand it,' said the 29-year-old.
'But I am not naive and the fact I wasn't involved in the last Premiership game or Roy Keane's testimonial was not a good sign, but nothing is going to happen until after the World Cup.'
It is next month's tournament in Germany that Van Nistelrooy is fully focusing on now, as he attempts to put the disappointment of the last season behind him.
He said: 'What has happened has happened. I have a World Cup in front of me with Holland, so I need to try and forget about it and move on.'
Although he claims his departure is far from certain, the striker has been linked to a host of top clubs, including Italian giants AC Milan and Inter, as well as English champions Chelsea and striker-collecting Tottenham, while Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder reportedly sees him as the ideal replacement for departing captain Alan Shearer.
The Dutch hitman fell out spectacularly with boss Sir Alex Ferguson towards the end of last season, beginning with his omission from the Carling Cup final, with Louis Saha getting the nod up front alongside Wayne Rooney instead.
Van Nistelrooy continually found himself playing second fiddle behind the Saha-Rooney partnership, culminating in him leaving Man United's team hotel after being told teenager Giuseppe Rossi would start for the last league game of the season against Charlton.
To make matters worse, the striker was then forbidden from attending ex-skipper Roy Keane's testimonial.
'I know a lot of people in Manchester don't understand it, well it is the same for me. I love Manchester United. That is why I don't really understand it,' said the 29-year-old.
'But I am not naive and the fact I wasn't involved in the last Premiership game or Roy Keane's testimonial was not a good sign, but nothing is going to happen until after the World Cup.'
It is next month's tournament in Germany that Van Nistelrooy is fully focusing on now, as he attempts to put the disappointment of the last season behind him.
He said: 'What has happened has happened. I have a World Cup in front of me with Holland, so I need to try and forget about it and move on.'
Although he claims his departure is far from certain, the striker has been linked to a host of top clubs, including Italian giants AC Milan and Inter, as well as English champions Chelsea and striker-collecting Tottenham, while Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder reportedly sees him as the ideal replacement for departing captain Alan Shearer.
