Has Ruud Lost It?

[dori2o]

Unfortunately looking at his body language since the Carling Cup final I think this will be Ruuds last season at United.

He just does not look interested anymore, but would it be the end of the world.

We've had this debate when Cantona left, but we brought new players in and won the Champions League without him.

Our best displays recently have been with rooney and Saha upfront. Louis does bring another dimension to our game, and the quick counter attacks we create with him in the team show why we are still the best attacking team in the EPL.

Who comes in as a replacement?

Do we gamble with just having Rooney, Saha, Ole and Rossi, and send Campbel out on loan to build his confidence and to gain some experience for when he would return for the 2007/08 season. Or, do we have to sign someone straight away, and who should it be?

The usual names would be there, Owen, Defoe, Ronaldo. But I have always liked Kuyt, Huntlaar, and Hesselink.

What do we think?

[ruud4ever]

How many times does Ruud have to say that he doesn't want to leave before people believe him? :mad:

[Kyle]

it's more of, do United want him to leave, rather than Ruud deciding

[ruud4ever]

Yeah, I know that, but I don't think it's fair to say that Ruud doesn't look interested anymore.

[Schmeichel#1]

Just my opinion here but i think Ruud is going.

I'd have to agree that he doesn't look happy sitting on the bench in recent weeks and when he's come on he looks like he's not interested.

[Red Devil]

I am one of van Nistelrooys biggest fans. You don't turn against a player like him, he has been magnificent for United. But, I am seeing something I do not like. His head is down; he is not enjoying his game and is missing chances that he was have buried two years ago.

He gives me the impression that he is waiting for the end of the season and then he will be going onwards, to Europe.

His loyalty is beyond reproach, he has stood by United through thick and thin, something is missing, the spark has gone.

The injury he tried to hide seems to have been the catalyst. He obviously has had words with the gaffer and they did fall out, but then he came back and seemed to be regaining his fire, then Fergie poured water on him and dropped him!

I know not what is the problem, but he is increasingly looking like an EX PLAYER for United.

[Schmeichel#1]

I feel that he probably will leave United this season.

He does look unhappy at having to sit on the bench in recent weeks.

[ruud4ever]

I am not sure what the situation is with Ruud, but I know he wouldn't willingly leave the club. However, I do understand how disappointed he must have felt this season since Saha has been starting ahead of him.

Red Devil, I'd like to thank you. A lot of United fans have suddenly turned against Ruud and started saying they want him out because his form hasn't been wonderful of late, but I admire the way you are so understanding of the matter. I really respect that :) Ruud doesn't deserve to be turned against.

[Michael]

He seems to have lots the heart to play for United, the drive, the determination...its not there anymore.

I feel he'll be gone in the summer, his heads down, Fergie seems a little fed up with him. Plus, hes 30 coming up 31, this is probably the last chance to get any real money for him, so all round it seems a good decision if he does go.

All in all - its time Ruud, and the club, moved on.

[ruud4ever]

Plus, hes 30 coming up 31,
He's actually 29 - 30 in July.

[Hiranmanu]

He seems to have lots the heart to play for United, the drive, the determination...its not there anymore.

I feel he'll be gone in the summer, his heads down, Fergie seems a little fed up with him. Plus, hes 30 coming up 31, this is probably the last chance to get any real money for him, so all round it seems a good decision if he does go.

All in all - its time Ruud, and the club, moved on.


I don't really see how you think Ruud will be crap at the age of 30-31. He is a goalpoacher and he will continue to be a very good goalscorer till he calls it quits on his career. I really don't know what to think about the Ruud situation. I am a very big fan of his ever since his days with PSV. It will be very sad to see Ruud leave. When he leaves he will definately need to be replaced with somebody for an eye for goal

[Michael]

I wasnt saying his age is a problem, but if United want to get some of the money they put into signing him, this is the last summer their going to get any real money for him. Once players hit 30 their price drops significantly.

[Manuxtreme]

The only reason his form has dipped is cause Fergie hasnt been playing him.

[ruud4ever]

The only reason his form has dipped is cause Fergie hasnt been playing him.
I agree. In particular, it has knocked his confidence.

[Manuxtreme]

Well he didnt play yesterday and wasnt among the subs so I really think thats it for him and United. I think Fergie would porbably use him as collateral for summer buys since he wont have enough to bring in quality players if he doesnt sell.

[MUFC]

Actually, Ruud left OT before the game yesterday. Have a look at http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=328283&itype=466&icategoryid=120

[Manuxtreme]

Actually, Ruud left OT before the game yesterday. Have a look at http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=328283&itype=466&icategoryid=120


Well he left after realising he wasnt starting or among the subs. His last few games havent been good as well adn from his body language he doesnt look happy. It would be a real shock if he doesnt leave in the summer. Rare a player thats in bad blood with Fergie remains.

[Red Devil]

OK, here is the contents of a phone conversation I received at tea time on Sunday.

My friend "inside" arrived at the ground at 1210 hrs and was parking up in the players car park. A taxi arrived and out stepped Ruud. He went to his car and threw his kit into the boot. As he did this a member of the staff approached him and said "Ruud, are you not playing today" to which Ruud replied " **** this club" and he then drove off.

After the match, Fergie went to Manchester Airport and boarded a flight to Madrid and was then seen at the Real Madrid v Villarreal match. He possibly could have been in Madrid to see Torres; this is unsure at this time.

At the same time Ruud boarded a plane for Holland and there was a quote on Dutch tv later that evening that "Ruud was back in Holland and plays for United no more" ......................

The reason for the bust up? He has had another training ground fight with Ronaldo and Fergie gave him a right rifting and told him he was on the bench.

Insider info: In training on Friday he was involved in a throat grabbing match with Ronaldo and was set upon by the club captain-- Mr Neville no less.

[ruud4ever]

Is that really what your friend said?

[Red Devil]

Yes, its the truth and 99% of what was said to me has been born out in further "revelations"

[MUFC]

Well, there's no two ways to it now. Ruud will definitely be leaving in the summer, and maybe its time we got some fresh legs on. I wouldn't mind Torres.

[20LEGEND]

I wouldn't mind Torres at all. But he'd be a bit expensive. We can sell Ruud for around 10-15million ... torres would cost us about 15-20m...

What Red Devil said is the truth IMO, as i do know that there was a fight b/w Ruud and Rondo in training ..

[Manuxtreme]

Really couldnt see him staying before but if what you said is true than it would be a shocker if he stayed on next season.

[Red Devil]

I have been hearing stories of Ruud's temper in training for quite a while and it has been discussed in here. When you have a player disrupting, ok allegedly disrupting, the squad and causing tension and problems, that player leaves. It matters not if he is a player like Ruud or someone at MK Dons - he goes. You cannot satisfy one player for the sake of a squad. Fergie gave him plenty of notice of his intentions by dropping him to the bench and dropping him altogether.

Ruud, if he had any mind would have thought, right, I will show the old git what I can do and go out onto the field and slam the net into Manchester City Centre, but instead, he drifted about the pitch, missed chances galore and generally "sulked" - wrong attitude for an out of favour player of his abilities.

Its Ruud's attitude that stinks, not his ability. I am not a lover of a lot of the things that Fergie has done, but look at the alternatives, do we sacrifice a whole squad for the sake of one player, albeit a legend in his own boots? No, of course not, its the team that matters so, on that pretext, one player leaves and the squad calms down and plays decent footy as proved v Charlton last Sunday.

United will get over it, we have got over the loss of Mon Dieu; Robson etc over the years. When Kanchelskis left I thought how the hell do you replace players like him, greased lightning on legs, but we did - Beckham.

United will move on, get over it. My "revelations" on Sunday have all been born out with later news coming out. United we stand, divided we fall and there is no way Fergie was going to allow that.

[Manuxtreme]

There is no doubt we will get over it but not after some serious problems. If eh leaves doubt we will be serious title contenders next season unless we bring in a few world class players in.

[Red Devil]

Actually I believe the team may well play better, more settled.

Two Ruud threads merged.

[Hiranmanu]

ive heard the some rumours. It really looks like Ruud is going to part with United. it will be very sad, but he will be leaving. it will be sad to see him leave like this on crappy terms with the manager. i think this was not handled well at all from SAF

[Red Devil]

I have been hearing stories of Ruud's temper in training for quite a while and it has been discussed in here. When you have a player disrupting, ok allegedly disrupting, the squad and causing tension and problems, that player leaves. It matters not if he is a player like Ruud or someone at MK Dons - he goes. You cannot satisfy one player for the sake of a squad. Fergie gave him plenty of notice of his intentions by dropping him to the bench and dropping him altogether.

Its Ruud's attitude that stinks, not his ability. I am not a lover of a lot of the things that Fergie has done, but look at the alternatives, do we sacrifice a whole squad for the sake of one player, albeit a legend in his own boots? No, of course not, its the team that matters so, on that pretext, one player leaves and the squad calms down and plays decent footy as proved v Charlton last Sunday.

These are not rumours, I knew about this on Sunday lunchtime; got a call from a friend in Old Trafford who told me what happened and why. Ruud had his hands around Ronaldo's throat on Friday. Gary Neville pulled him off.

I found this in another forum:

Robson Warning For Van Nistelrooy
Thu 11 May, 4:09 PM


Old Trafford legend Bryan Robson has warned Ruud van Nistelrooy that "no one man is bigger than Manchester United" as the Dutch striker's future looks increasingly likely to lie elsewhere. Van Nistelrooy was sent home from the team hotel by boss Sir Alex Ferguson on Sunday. Prior to that, the 29-year-old hardly featured in the last third of the campaign as Louis Saha and Wayne Rooney were preferred up front. And rumours are rife the former PSV Eindhoven striker may well move on this summer, with the forthcoming World Cup finals an ideal shop window in which to showcase his talents to potential suitors.

Van Nistelrooy's fall from grace has been as startling as it has been speedy, but former United skipper Robson insists there will only ever be one winner in a stand-off between the two men. He said: "Sir Alex always says that there is no one man bigger than Manchester United, and that is the case.

"You don't know what has actually gone on, but if the boss feels that Ruud van Nistelrooy is not playing to the standards he was at when he was playing really well and United were winning championships, then he will look to replace him and let Ruud go. "But you never know whether that is the situation or whether it's just a jolt to get Ruud back to his best form."

When asked whether Ferguson was the right man to make United great again after three years without the Premiership title, Robson added: "Yes I do.

"United have won a trophy again this year, but people want to see them go a bit closer in the league and do better in the Champions League next year. "Sir Alex has proved he can do it at that level and I'm sure he'll improve United again next season. Manchester United for years have set the standards, and Chelsea have caught those standards up and have bypassed them.

"What United have got to do now, and Sir Alex knows this, is to challenge Chelsea next season." Robson also expects United to bring in at least one central midfielder this summer to bolster the squad after seeing the man who replaced him at Old Trafford a decade ago himself move on to pastures new in January.

The West Brom boss, who was appearing at a book-signing session in Manchester to promote his autobiography 'Robbo', added: "Everybody who supports United would say they need to strengthen the midfield. Roy Keane has been a big miss and they haven't filled that gap yet. "But Sir Alex will have all his scouts looking in that area, because everybody is saying that they feel United need to strengthen in there. "If he brings a couple of new players in to add to the squad that he's got, United showed at the end of the season that they are still a great team and they have a great chance of challenging Chelsea again."

(sportinglife)