July 23, 2006
Bayern make Van Nistelrooy claim
Bayern make Van Nistelrooy claim
Bayern Munich have already started talks with Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, according to general director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
"Van Nistelrooy has told us he would like to play for us next season," Rummenigge told the Bild newspaper.
"We have already spoken about money with him but it would be United who will finally decide."
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told the News of the World the club had accepted that the 30-year-old wanted to leave.
Ferguson has already rejected a bid from Real Madrid for the Dutch international, who has asked to leave Old Trafford three times since May 2005.
"Ruud asked away before the Arsenal FA Cup final last year, then asked away through his representative, and has now asked away himself in writing," the Red Devils manager said.
"Quite frankly, if he wants to leave, there really is no point trying to persuade him to stay.
"I couldn't tell you why he wants to leave or why his heart isn't in it - all I can tell you is that he has asked away and we have accepted that."
However, the Scot has insisted that finding a new midfielder to replace Roy Keane, who left Old Trafford last November, is more important than replacing van Nistelrooy.
He continued: "The main issue for me is the composition of the midfield.
"When you lose a player like Roy, which was always going to happen as he was getting older, you need a replacement."
Former United midfielder Keane signed a deal with Celtic in December 2005 but announced his retirement as a player in June because of a long-standing hip injury.
Ferguson has also reiterated that winger Cristiano Ronaldo will not be leaving Old Trafford, despite his recent bust-up with club-mate Wayne Rooney during England's World Cup tie against Portugal.
"There is no rift between Wayne and Cristiano," he insisted.
"I know Wayne has been in touch with Cristiano and I don't anticipate any problems."
Bayern Munich have already started talks with Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, according to general director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
"Van Nistelrooy has told us he would like to play for us next season," Rummenigge told the Bild newspaper.
"We have already spoken about money with him but it would be United who will finally decide."
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson told the News of the World the club had accepted that the 30-year-old wanted to leave.
Ferguson has already rejected a bid from Real Madrid for the Dutch international, who has asked to leave Old Trafford three times since May 2005.
"Ruud asked away before the Arsenal FA Cup final last year, then asked away through his representative, and has now asked away himself in writing," the Red Devils manager said.
"Quite frankly, if he wants to leave, there really is no point trying to persuade him to stay.
"I couldn't tell you why he wants to leave or why his heart isn't in it - all I can tell you is that he has asked away and we have accepted that."
However, the Scot has insisted that finding a new midfielder to replace Roy Keane, who left Old Trafford last November, is more important than replacing van Nistelrooy.
He continued: "The main issue for me is the composition of the midfield.
"When you lose a player like Roy, which was always going to happen as he was getting older, you need a replacement."
Former United midfielder Keane signed a deal with Celtic in December 2005 but announced his retirement as a player in June because of a long-standing hip injury.
Ferguson has also reiterated that winger Cristiano Ronaldo will not be leaving Old Trafford, despite his recent bust-up with club-mate Wayne Rooney during England's World Cup tie against Portugal.
"There is no rift between Wayne and Cristiano," he insisted.
"I know Wayne has been in touch with Cristiano and I don't anticipate any problems."
