Ruud van Nistelrooy's prolific goalscoring exploits have safeguarded his place in United folklore.
The Dutchman struck 110 goals in his first three seasons in Manchester. He overtook Denis Law's title as the club's all-time top scorer in European competition in his fourth term, and, in his fifth year at OT, reached 150 goals in under 200 starts. This record guarantees Old Trafford legend status, arguably the club's second-best striker behind the Lawman and possibly the greatest natural goalscorer the Premiership has ever seen.
United initially had to be patient to get their man. In July 1998, he marked his 22nd birthday by signing for PSV Eindhoven from Heerenveen for £4.2million, a then record Dutch fee. In two years Ruud notched 60 goals for PSV, alerting United.
So keen was Sir Alex to sign van Nistelrooy that he stayed in contact with the player as he recovered from a cruciate knee ligament injury sustained in training for PSV. That setback came days after failing a United medical in April 2000. He finally arrived on 23 April 2001 for £19m.
Reds got their first glimpse of van Nistelrooy in the 2001 Charity Shield against Liverpool at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. Liverpool won the game 2-1 but United fans exited the stadium highly content with what they had witnessed, specifically the way Ruud pounced on a ball from Ryan Giggs, rounded Kop keeper Sander
Westerveld and slotted home with ease. It was a taste of things to come.
Van Nistelrooy's 36 goals in his debut season included 23 in the league, two in the FA Cup and an incredible 10 in Europe, as well as that Charity Shield strike. He was voted PFA Footballer of the Year, fitting recognition by his peers of the impact he had made on English football. He also struck up an immediate partnership with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – a close friend off the pitch – with the Norwegian contributing 25 goals to a stunning double-act. Those goals didn't secure United the Premiership title, the Reds finishing third behind Arsenal and Liverpool, but that was to change the following season.
Ruud's debut campaign total was incredibly eclipsed in 2002/03, scoring 25 league goals to inspire United to the title, with 13 goals in the final eight Premiership games of the season. This included two hat-tricks against Fulham and Charlton, a double against Liverpool and a crucial strike in the 2-2 away to United's nearest challengers Arsenal. Van Nistelrooy’s love affair with the Champions League continued, scoring an incredible 14 times in ten games as United progressed to the quarter-finals before losing out at that stage to Real Madrid.
Another 30 goals followed in his third term, including a series of landmark strikes: the goal against Stuttgart in December 2003 that equalled Denis Law’s club European record, his 100th United goal away to Everton in February 2004 and his two goals in the FA Cup final win over Millwall. Injuries hampered his 2004/05 campaign, but he still managed 16 goals in 27 appearances and was the Champions League's top scorer with eight goals, passing Law's European record in the match against Lyon in September 2004.
Unfortunately, 2005/06 was also tempered with disappointment. By December Ruud had bagged 17 goals in 26 starts, but the return to form and fitness of Louis Saha saw him edged out of the side. Van Nistelrooy was an unused substitute in the Carling Cup final and was left out of the match with Charlton on the final day of the season, with Sir Alex citing issues around "the spirit of the club" as the reason for his exclusion.
It emerged that van Nistelrooy had asked for a transfer request and after protracted negotiations hindered by the World Cup finals, Ruud finally signed for Real Madrid on 28 July 2006. His United career may be over but his contribution to the club will never be forgotten.
Ruud's top 10
Following the departure of Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid, we look back on the Dutch striker's finest goals. Picking 10 from 150 is no mean feat but here, in chronological order, are the first five...
Vs Deportivo La Coruna (UEFA Champions League) 17/10/01
Having given United the lead with an early toe-poke past Depor goalkeeper Jose Molina, Ruud saw his hard work undone as the Spaniards scored twice in two minutes to turn the game on its head. Undeterred, the Dutchman promptly notched his second Champions League goal in Red, forcing his way to the byline before arcing a beautiful chip over the thoroughly thrown Molina. Trademark madness from Fabien Barthez allowed Deportivo to leave Old Trafford with the points, but Ruud had served notice of his intent to terrorise Europe with United.
Vs Southampton (FA Barclays Premiership) 22/12/01
Three days before Christmas, Ruud took advantage of festively generous defending from the Saints to plunder his first United hat-trick. Undoubtedly the finest strike was his first, controlling a long crossfield ball from Paul Scholes before lashing venomously into Paul Jones’ bottom corner. Further strikes, one plundered from close range, the other slid clinically inside the post, gave the Dutchman the match ball. With Ruud in this form and only 30 seconds gone, Saints were fortunate to end up losing only 6-1.
Vs FC Basel (UEFA Champions League) 26/11/02
Undoubtedly one of the most jaw-dropping United goals of recent years. Logic and physics were cast aside as Sir Alex’s favourite predator won the ball near the corner flag, weaved into the area and lashed a powerful shot into the far corner from virtually the Basel byline. It was the Dutchman’s second strike in two minutes, having earlier headed United level, and the most glaring evidence that he was becoming the continent’s deadliest striker.
Vs Fulham (FA Barclays Premiership) 22/03/03
Ruud made a career as United’s fox-in-the-box, but this goal against Charlton was the antithesis of every tap-in he ever scored. Picking the ball up in the centre circle, he shook off the attentions of Sylvain Legwinski before advancing on goal. Always in control of the ball despite charging at great speed, van Nistelrooy soon had two defenders trailing in his wake. After bypassing a third – Andy Melville – the Dutchman quickly opened up his body and slid the ball past goalkeeper Maik Taylor, who didn't have time to blink, let alone dive, due to the early nature of the shot. Ruud names it as his favourite United goal, and it’s hard to disagree.
Vs Arsenal (FA Barclays Premiership) 16/04/03
The stakes were never higher. On a decisive, title-in-the-balance night at Highbury, van Nistelrooy set the ball rolling for United to claim a vital point which kept them in pole position. After neat interplay with Ryan Giggs on the left touchline the Dutchman nutmegged Sol Campbell, outsprinted Martin Keown and lifted the ball delicately over Stuart Taylor. A couple of snidey Gunners goals and a Giggs equaliser later, the road was paved for United to get their trophy back.
Vs Charlton Athletic (FA Barclays Premiership) 03/05/03
Firmly in the title ascendancy and with game running out, United knew a win over Charlton would heap more pressure on Arsenal to match their form. With nine goals in his previous seven Premiership games, Ruud’s sensational form didn’t bode well for the Addicks. Two smart first-half finishes were eclipsed by his third, a razor-sharp control and volley from David Beckham’s 50-yard crossfield ball. A 4-1 win for United, coupled with the Gunners’ subsequent home defeat to Leeds 24 hours later, handed the Dutchman his only Premiership winners’ medal.
Vs Everton (FA Barclays Premiership) 07/02/04
What an afternoon. A double from new signing Louis Saha and Ruud’s 100th United strike had put United into a seemingly unassailable three goal lead at the interval. Time to see out the game without any unnecessary trouble. Or not. Cue an aerial bombardment from Everton’s lanky troops, and suddenly parity was restored. Having drawn level, however, the hosts’ threat waned and United began chasing a winner. When it finally came, in the last minute, it was a thing of beauty. A stunning right wing cross from Ronaldo gave Ruud the chance to bullet home an unstoppable header and save face in the most dramatic fashion.
Vs Lyon (UEFA Champions League) 15/09/04
United’s faltering start to the 2004/05 season was thanks in no small part to the machine. This, his first start of the season, looked set to continue in the same vein as the French champions established a two-goal lead. Shortly after the interval, however, Ruud shook off the cobwebs and headed a crucial, landmark strike. Not only did it set the scene for United to steal a point (guess who scored the equaliser), it also nudged Ruud ahead of Denis Law and made him United’s all-time top European goalscorer.
Vs Charlton Athletic (FA Barclays Premiership) 19/11/05
Narrowly beaten to United’s 2005/06 Goal of the Season award, the Dutchman’s incredible swivelling volley at the Valley will live long in the memory. Locked at 1-1 despite dominating the game, it looked like Sir Alex’s side needed a moment of magic to re-establish their lead. In fact, they needed two. Wayne Rooney’s slalom through the Charlton half took him past three Addicks players before he released the ball with a delightful flick to van Nistelrooy. Ruud’s fluid chest control, swivel and rocketing volley saw United back ahead in the blink of an eye.
Vs Bolton Wanderers (FA Barclays Premiership) 01/04/06
Could there be a more fitting demonstration of Ruud’s talents than his final United goal? As the Reds mounted a late title charge, they found themselves pushing for a crucial winner at the Reebok Stadium. John O’Shea’s slide-rule pass freed Louis Saha inside the area, and his pull-back was clinically converted by van Nistelrooy. Untraceable movement, immaculate timing and deadly finishing. Thanks, Ruud, for five years of just that.absence through injury of their Dutch goal
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