RUUD TO REGRETS?

Ruud van Nistelrooy completed his move to Real Madrid and admitted his pain at leaving the club he had grown to love, saying that his deteriorating relationship with manager Sir Alex Ferguson was the reason for the transfer.

Ruud van Nistelrooy had become a fans favourite during his time at Old Trafford and was destined to become the club's greatest ever scorer, with a record of 150 goals in 200 starts (219 apps) Sir Bobby Charlton's club record of 247 goals was certaintly within reach of the prolific 30-year old Dutchman.

It started in 2000 when Ruud van Nistelrooy was all ready to join United until he failed his medical and days later suffered a horrific knee injury which would delay his transfer for a year. Whilst Ruud was recovering from his injury Sir Alex showed his faith and desire to capture the Dutchman by visiting him in hospital and being in constant contact with the striker, something which in 2001 lead Van Nistelrooy to snub Real Madrid and finally sign for Manchester United.

The striker repaid Fergie's faith and United fans got an early glimpse of the striker in the Community Shield when he scored a consolation goal in a 2-1 defeat versus Liverpool and then followed it up with a League debut double versus Fulham at Old Trafford in a 3-2 win, the Van man had arrived and his compatriot Edwin Van Der Sar in the Fulham goal knew all about it! Ruud ended his debut season with 36 goals and had created an amazing record breaking partnership with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in which the deadly duo notched 61-goals between them.
Something which was massively eclipsed in 2002/03 when he scored an incredible 44-goals which helped United topple Arsenal and lift his first and only League trophy with the club. In that time Ruud van Nistelrooy became the only man to score in eight consecutive league games and scored an amazing solo goal versus Fulham.

In 2003/04 he scored 30 goals for the club which ended in him bagging a double versus Millwall in the FA Cup final, the score ended 3-0 and Van Nistelrooy picked up his second trophy with the Red Devils. The Dutchman had proved to be one of United's most prolific strikers in the three seasons at the club, breaking all sorts of records and scoring 110 goals, proving that Fergie was right to wait for his man.

2004-05 proved to be Ruud's less productive season as it was hampered with injury. He scored 16 goals in 27 appearances and was still the Champions Leagues' top scorer with eight goals. In that time Van Nistelrooy had become United's all-time leading European goalscorer, toppling the King of the Stretford End, Dennis Law's record. 38 goals in 47 Champions League games was his European record for United. It was also revealed that Van Nistelrooy had asked for a transfer request, the first time, on the same day of the FA Cup Final in which Manchester United, despite dominating, squandered many chances and lost on penalties to Arsenal.

Ruud van Nistelrooy remained at United and in 2005-06 was United's top scorer yet again notching 24-goals but it was another troubled season for the striker. From August 2005 to February 2006 he was a regular scoring 19 goals, scoring an amazing goal versus Charlton at the Valley, chest and volley to perfection. This game was also special because he scored his first goal for United outside of the box.

The New Year though saw rumours of a rift between Van Nistelrooy and Fergie. Sir Alex gave him a "test" by starting games with Louis Saha and Wayne Rooney. The first time in five years Van Nistelrooy had found himself not first choice anymore and the "test" was failed. It is thought Van Nistelrooy's attitude dropped and it came to the forefront in the Carling Cup Final when Saha started and Van Nistelrooy remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes. Despite celebrating with the fans during the game Ruud found it hard to do the same with the team and left the pitch promptly.

He was benched for the following 6-games, with rumours of a rift dismissed, he came back to score vital goals versus West Ham and Bolton in the title run in but when Van Nistelrooy was dropped in favour of young Guiseppe Rossi for the final league game of the season versus Charlton, he stormed out of Old Trafford before kick off and Ferguson stopped him from playing in Keano's testimonial, Ferguson said there were a "number of issues to be discussed with the club's directors" and that he affected the "spirit at the club".

That seemed to be the last straw at United and during the World Cup Van Nistelrooy was also dropped by Marco Van Basten. Had Ferguson been the first to see a fall in attitude, determination and the rest of it?

Before he left though Sir Alex praised the player's attitude as he returned to training and had considered keeping the player, Ruud van Nistelrooy signed for Real Madrid in an £11m deal which will see him team up with former United team mate David Beckham. Van Nistelrooy remained an honorable man though saying this in his press conference at the Santiago Bernabeu:
"I had an incredible five years in Manchester and I will always remember my time there and the unconditional support from the fans.
I never got to say goodbye to Ferguson but there is plenty of time for that. I owe him a lot and that is why it was so painful.
Ferguson did a lot for me, waiting for me while I was injured then giving me the chance to play and giving me confidence," it was nice to see the player we have grown to love not disrespect us, and it was good to see he returned to training and had the chance to say goodbye to the staff and the players."

Manchester United also released this statement:
"Manchester United would like to wish Ruud all the best at his new club and thank him for the great service he provided."

So the end of a legend's United career, but was it coincidence that following Ferguson's fallout with the striker that Van Basten also found reason to drop him? Will Sir Alex regret it or will it prove to be another time where Ferguson has got rid of a player just before their sell by date?

It remains to be seen but what has been witnessed by United fan's since 2001 is that Van Nistelrooy is one of the club's true greats, he has written his name in United folklore and will forever be remembered!

Thanks and Good luck!

His record:
League - 95 goals in 137 games (13 as sub)
FA Cup - 14 goals in 11 games (3 as sub)
League Cup - 2 goals in 5 games (1 as sub)
Europe - 38 goals in 45 games (2 as sub)
Charity Shield - 1 goal in 2 games

TOTAL - 150 goals in 200 games (19 as sub)

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Nothin' With Kids II?

As the Summer ran on and no signings were made the same calls we have heard so often came again, "Fergie needs to go!", "He's lost it!". We are talking about the same manager who for twenty years has held Manchester United at the pinnacle of football, top of England, top of Europe and yet these same calls come. Tell me who would have got Manchester United within 8 points of Chelsea last season?, Yes I know second isn't enough but with the injuries, squad, personnel, etc that he had it was some achievement.

For the past three seasons though it's been expected because our main players, the heart and soul of the team, the Treble winners, were coming to an end. From 2004-2006 it's been a time of transition, out with the old and in with the new.

But there is no new I hear you say! Well my pedigree chums there are. For the past two seasons whilst the first team have been struggling to win the league and having to do with successful cup runs I've been watching our reserves and keeping tabs on the players that are to take Manchester United forward. Now our reserves have won the Quadruple in 2004-05 and the Treble in 2005-06. That's some feat for a group of players who have had to deal with management changes, players going out on loan and players being played just to gain fitness e.g. Heinzé & Solskjaer. I've been raving about our players for a while and when I saw the line ups last night for Celtic, I had the utmost confidence in them beating the Scottish Champions, even though Celtic had their full team out!

It was amazing to hear how our players had come through the ranks and the way Ferguson wants them raised. Playing the same style, formation, tactics, etc from youth to reserves to firsts, allowing the players to be demoted/promoted with ease and no difficulty in understanding how things work. These players (Reserves and Firsts) train together, eat together, socialise together week in, week out which is the reason Ferguson attracted youngsters of the calibre of Guiseppe Rossi and Gerard Piqué.

This youth side has a spine, mixture of British talent with the odd overseas player who has been raised in the true United way. Here I'll give a taster of what to expect:

Ben Foster (GK): Young goalkeeper who Fergie snatched from Stoke after watching him on loan in a LDV Cup Final whilst watching his son, Darren. Ben Foster was excellent in helping Watford gain promotion and in his four games in pre-season has kept four clean sheets (obviously excluding the penalty shootout), in the game versus Celtic last night he made three outstanding saves and everything is pointing to a bright future for the lad.

Phillip Bardsley (RB): Bardsley, a Salford-born lad, is the natural replacement for Gary Neville. Strong, no nonsense and as Neville, never really has an outstanding game but is always consistently good. Last season when Red Nev was out injured he stepped into his boots comfortably, playing in the CL & Premier League, with ease that was never expected of the lad.

Jonny Evans (CB): Scored the first goal last night, but he's not about that. Sir Alex Ferguson has likened him to everybody's favourite pundit, Alan Hansen. Cool and calm on the ball and unlike Alan Hansen likes to get in the box whenever there's a sniff of a goal. Had United's first team not been blessed with Rio, Wes, Vida and Piqué this boy would have been in their next season.

David Jones (CM): Apart from Piqué and Rossi he's my favourite of the bunch. Out on loan last season at Preston NE and NEC Nimijen he impressed massively. A box-to-box midfielder with strength, eye for a pass and a goal and is handy when tracking back, I've said on here already that given the chance he will prove to be United's equivalent of Steven Gerrard, and Sir Alex has also sent a message out of how highly he is regarded by telling Jonesy he is in the first team next season.

Lee Martin (LM): Played on the left of midfield last night and impressed thoroughly. Loved having a crack, and despite his first shot going out for a throw in he was close with the others. Quick, clever, skillful and all in all a defender's nightmare.

Guiseppe Rossi (FW): We all know about this boy, the Italian-American who signed for United from Parma. He's a clever footballer and Sir Alex has said he's "the most natural finisher at the Club", considering at the time United had Van Nistelrooy, Scholes and Rooney it's some statement to make. Top goalscorer for the last two seasons in the Reserves' League and with Van Nistelrooy set for a move to Spain it's time for the Italian Stallion to step forward.

That's just six players there, but I could have named another six (Eagles, McShane, Simpson, Gibson, Campbell, etc), but you also have to consider that the likes of Ronaldo, Rooney, Richardson, Fletcher, Brown, Vida, Ferdinand, Piqué, etc are in the age range or youthful themselves that could grow with them to form another formidable Fergie era.

Of course we will need to sign players, as I understand it Michael Carrick is done and dusted, to keep up with Chelsea we will need to. But, take a look at that youth and you see a group that love United and will do anything to be successful at United - not a Obi-Mikel in sight!

When Sir Alex Ferguson said that he would be happy to go into next season with the squad he has and that the fans would be happy. Well, I believed him and I was happy, yes we need to sign one or two players but I'd be confident that with luck with injuries that squad would be able to claim what's rightfully ours and next May 2007 Manchester United would have their trophy back!

I'm sure Ferguson had his critics back in 1996, when he started a game versus Aston Villa with players like Giggs, Neville, Scholes and Beckham & O'Kane coming off the bench. We lost the game 3-1 and Alan Hansen's famous quote came about. I can imagine the critics now, "What's Fergie doing, that Scottish bloke off MOTD is right!". So my friends I come to ask you, what did Sir Alex Ferguson and his "kids" achieve that year? Thank you.

Don't right off United, Don't right off Fergie because Manchester United will get their trophy back!

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May I also use this opportunity to say Thank You & Good Luck to Ruud van Nistelrooy. The United legend is on the verge of a move to Spanish club Real Madrid, where he will team up with another United legend David Beckham. I look forward to seeing them both teaming up again, it's a shame it couldn't be at Old Trafford!

Louis Saha: Flop or the Future?

Last January it seemed Louis Saha was on his way out of Old Trafford, with a move for Michael Owen seemingly in the pipelines and a return to Fulham for £12m man. Since then though Louis Saha has turned his United career around amazingly and to such dramatic effect.

Saha has seemingly forced one of United's most successful strikers ever out of the club and played such a major part in United winning the Carling Cup and finishing second last season, after pushing Chelsea all the way in the title race.


Louis Saha joined United and was equal with 20 goals with Ruud van Nistelrooy in the season's tallies. After he signed he was unfortunately injury prone and constantly struck down with injuries while on international duty. Knee injuries are his speciality something which has lead to the nickname Mr. Glass Knee.

Saha's attitude has been second to none though, he wanted success at United and on numerous occasions stated he wasn't here for a short period, he wanted to be part of something big. Every time an injury would knock him back but Saha would dust himself up and get on with his rehabilitation.

Come 2005-06 and Saha was played in League Cup games and sparingly in the league by Sir Alex. Saha scored in most League Cup games and thoroughly deserved a spot in the

Carling Cup Final, something which was overshadowed by Fergie's right decision to rest/drop Ruud and give Saha his chance to shine.

Saha scored in a 4-0 romp and went onto become one of United's top scorers notching 17 goals in a formidable triad of Ruud, Rooney and himself.

Whilst Saha was on fire Fergie had other pressing matters on his hands. What to do with Ruud?

Ruud van Nistelrooy's attitude had dropped to an all-time low which was epitomized by his penalty miss versus Middlesbrough. Could it be his attitude changed due to his arguments with Cristiano Ronaldo or had he become upset with the fact he was being overlooked by Fergie? At the time it had seemed it was to do with the Cup Final snub but recently new evidence has come to light.

Ferguson has said Ruud has asked out (either himself or through his agent) on two times prior to his recent transfer request. One occasion being before the FA Cup Final versus Arsenal in which United lost on penalties after dominating but missing that cutting edge up front. Coincidence, that the weekend our usually deadly front man had asked for a transfer? We don't know but since May 2005, Van the Man's decline had started and Saha's rise had begun.

Whatever happens with United and Saha it seems Van Nistelrooy is leaving and I sincerely hope that Ruud van Nistelrooy, a fans favourite, enjoys the rest of his career and is as big a success in Germany or Spain as he has been in the Republik of Mancunia. Every weekend Manchester United fans, Old Trafford or elsewhere, will remember Ruud with a chant.

But, what is plain to see is that Saha has forced himself into the reckoning and gave Fergie reasons to be cheerful should Ruud leave and the Torres 'deal' not go ahead.

What needs to happen though is Saha has one season injury-free, then he will prove how vital he is to United and how successful his career at Old Trafford will be. Season 2006-07 is vital in the career of Louis Saha, one injury could wreck it all but an injury-free one could be the start of something special for the Manchester United number nine.

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Roy Keane: Red Legend 1993-2005

10th August 1971, a United legend in the making was born. One, Roy Maurice Keane or as all us Reds got to know him Keano.

Born in Cork, Ireland, Roy started his football career playing for Irish side Cobh Ramblers, despite his love for boxing he chose football which may describe a few of his swings at Alan Shearer.

He played for the Ramblers until the late great Brian Clough came in for him and offered him the big move to Nottingham Forest, at the age of eighteen Roy quickly got into the first team and in his first season got a runners up medal in the FA Cup and yet again being on the losing side against Manchester United in a 1-0 defeat adding to his losers’ medals, of which he wasn’t ready to get used to.

When United made their move, despite interest from Barcelona (Maradona once said about Keane, ‘Buy him!, together we’ll play good!’ & Real Madrid, as the song says ‘When he saw Old Trafford he said ‘I fancy that’’. £3.75m was the fee, a club and English record at the time, and Keane started off at United playing up front, right back and eventually settling for his dominant role in centre midfield. And, when Paul Ince left Roy Keane became the driving force we all know and love and went on to be the heart and soul of United.

Playing alongside the likes of Bruce, Pallister, Hughes and the talismanic figure of Cantona, Keane won three Premiership trophies including two doubles in 1994 and 1996.His position was let known by Alex Ferguson when Eric Cantona announced his retirement, handing the captaincy of the Red Devils’ to Keane.

Unfortunately, Roy Keane’s first encounter with long-term friend Alfie Inge-Haaland came less than 2 months later and Roy picked up a cruciate knee injury in a game at Elland Road, home of the Scum. Roy’s presence or the lack of was felt and United and never lifted the Premiership that season.

When Keane returned it was left to see whether he would be the same and in fact he got better and better. Determination, strength, passion, goals, breaking up attacks, stamina and drive was just a little about Keane and he thrived on winning. This was summed up in his biggest career performance versus Juventus, in a Champions League Semi Final 1998-99 where he single handedly got United out of a hole and despite picking up a booking which meant he’d missed the final he got us there. United went on to pick up a historic Treble which was unprecedented. The Premiership, FA Cup and European Cup capped of Fergie and Keano’s finest seasons ever and wrote both of their names in United folklore.

The following season, 1999-2000, Keane’s abilities was right recognized and he picked up the PFA Player of the Year & the Football Writer’s Player of the Year. He was and is what the likes of his rivals Patrick Vieira, Steven Gerrard & Frank Lampard aspire to be and in a midfield alongside the most talented Paul Scholes and with David Beckham and Ryan Giggs on the wings, United had the best midfield ever on their hands and trophies were picked up every season.

Along came 2000-2001, Keane’s most controversial year. His blast at the ‘prawn-sandwich eaters’ after a poor fan display on a European night as well as a blast at his own team mates desire and commitment in Europe, blasts like that are what made the man and he spurred his team mates on and lead through example.Also to come that year was Keano’s part in the Haaland conflict, as he said in his book

'I" f**ckin' hit him, the ball was there (I think)'…Keane never forgot Haaland’s criticism of Keane when he injured himself at Elland Road and he made sure good old Alfie never forgot who he was.

In 2001-2002, Keane drove a United team on who appeared to have a slump and got the team winning again by Christmas, this was a team with new Argentinian £28m signing Juan Seba Veron. Keane picked up a hamstring injury which appeared to end his career but yet again his unique ability to make something out of nothing shone through and he made a ‘miraculous’ recovery and returned after 3 weeks.

Come the Summer of 2002, Keano’s last World Cup it seemed which ended almost before it started. Keane expected better facilities, preparation and sadly Yorkshire man Mick McCarthy never provided that to patriotic Keane’s Ireland which lead to a typical Keane outburst and his sending home, the facilities were later described as ‘Third-World’ of which Keane wasn’t happy. These sort of moments show Keane will be a great manager and give his team everything they deserve the fact that McCarthy never gave this produced a reaction for captain and inspiration Keane. Keane later announced his international retirement.

In August 2003, the autobiography hit the shelves. Keane’s story on everything from the Treble, to Haaland to McCarthy. And, he left no stone unturned. After his outspoken yet honest story about his deliberate actions against Haaland, Keane was branded a ‘psycho’ by the media yet Fergie stood by his man again as did the millions of United fans who let him know we were there for him.

Since 2003-2005, Keane was used sparingly by Fergie after his hip operations and constant niggling injuries yet Keane grabbed his 50th goal vs. Birmingham City at Old Trafford following a 53-game goal drought. Keane wasn’t the same player and his age was showing but that didn’t stop performances like those of the 2004-05 season at Highbury.

In the tunnel his old adversary had a few words and tried acting ‘heavy’ with Gary Neville, the now United skipper. Keano showed he was still the heartbeat of this side and with fire in his eyes told Vieira they’d settle it on the pitch. After 3 minutes, it seemed Vieira’s would win the battle and ram Keano’s words down his throat but Keano pulled the side on and got control of United’s three attacking threats Van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo and Rooney and pushed United on. United won 4-2. This epitomized his career.

Roll on 2005-06, and Keano wasn’t happy. After an outburst at his lacklustre team-mates on MUTV, Keane was reprimanded by Fergie and the start of the long, goodbye seemed to start. Keane’s word though were felt and Manchester United went on to beat Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal at Old Trafford with Smith saying following the Chelsea game that ‘we needed a reminder we are at a big club, unlike before!’ Keane’s words were felt but it was to be the end in the same season Keane left Manchester United by ‘mutual consent.’

Joining Celtic, his boyhood dream was lived out, but there was one pressing matter. Would he give United fans their dream? One more night in a United shirt. Keane said ‘Yes!’ and in a testimonial won 1-0 by United, Keane represented both Celtic and the Reds. On an emotional night, Keane said thank you to the United fans and there was tears in the eyes of most. He and Fergie shook hands and it made what was a fitting end to one of the greatest careers ever.

12th June 2006 came along and Roy Keane has been forced to end his career due to injuries. One thing is for sure he will never be forgotten, after a career spanning 13 years (1993-2006) Keane lifted 7 Premier League titles, 4 FA Cups, a European Cup and an Intercontinental trophy in his time. As well as numerous Charity Shields and other accolades.

Keane was described as the best Premiership player ever by Alan Hansen, the BBC Pundit.

Keano will never be forgotten and his retirement comes as a sad time to all involved with United. He is recognized by everybody in the footballing world as one of the finest to ever grace this beautiful game of ours, Keano you never will be forgotten and will be sadly missed at Old Trafford. I, as will others continue to sing your name and will love to see you back at Manchester United in a coaching, or any other capacity.

Thank You & Good Luck.

What They Said?

Roy Keane (after his testimonial)

‘That’s it really. I’ll remember this for the rest of my life. All the best!’

Roy Keane (on his retirement):
‘Having received medical advice from my surgeon and the Celtic doctor, my only option is to retire.I would like to send the manager, the staff, the players and supporters my very best wishes for the future’(Always a man of very little words)

Sir Alex Ferguson (following Keano's retirement):
‘Roy’s obsession with winning and the demand he put on others made him the most influential player in the dressing room.He became a great captain through that and to my mind he’s the best player I’ve had in all my time here. Over the years when they start picking the best teams of all time, he’ll be in there.His display in Turin 1999 was selfless; just wonderful. It was a tragedy he couldn’t play in the final in Barcelona’

Neil Custis (The Sun, 13th June 2006):
‘The light went out on Roy Keane's footballing life the day he left Manchester United last November. He tried to revive the old Keano up at Celtic but his mind and body just would not let him.He was really only ever a one-club man and he, as much as anybody, made it great.Manchester United have not been and never will be as good without Keane!’

Roy Keane's United Career:
481 appearances/51 goals
English Premier League: 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003.
FA Cup: 1994, 1996, 1999, 2003
Champions League: 1999
Intercontinental Cup: 1999

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