Ruud van Nistelrooy
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Age: 18
Position: Forward
Country: Argentina
Caps: 6
Goals: 1
Club: Barcelona
Former clubs: Gr |  |
Thursday, 25, May 2006 12:20
Age: 29
Position: Striker
Country: Holland
Caps: 47
Goals: 25
Club: Manchester United
Previous clubs: Den Bosch, Heerenveen, PSV Eindhoven
Estimated Chelsea-target value: £10 million.
Manchester United's prolific goalscorer comes into this summer's tournament with a point to prove to his club manager. Sir Alex Ferguson opted to leave Ruud Van Nistelrooy on the bench for a large part of this past Premiership season but Holland coach Marco Van Basten is keeping faith with his number one frontman.
Despite the various striking options in the Dutch squad, Van Nistelrooy is expected to spearhead the attack in his first World Cup in Germany this summer.
Over the past few years he has established himself in the Holland side and after the shock of not qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, he scored four goals in Euro 2004 as the Dutch reached the semi-finals.
As well as on the international stage, Van Nistelrooy's strike record throughout his career is second to none, although he actually started his professional career as a midfielder with Den Bosch in 1993. However, when he played upfront in the 1996/97 season he developed a goalscoring habit that has since seen him become one of Europe's top strikers.
After getting 12 goals in 13 games he moved to Heerenveen and scored 13 goals in his one and only season with them before he was snapped up by PSV Eindhoven for £3.4 million.
His form in the 98/99 and 99/2000 seasons alerted Europe's top clubs as he netted 60 league goals and nine Champions League goals.
Manchester United looked set to sign him in the summer of 2000 but a cruciate knee ligament injury put him out of action for almost a year.
He returned towards the end of the 2000/01 season and convinced United of his fitness. The club paid PSV £19 million for his services and many fans will think he has been well worth it.
He has regularly bagged more than 20 goals a season and in total, has scored well over 100 goals for the club and has helped United win the Premiership, the FA Cup and Carling Cup, although they have disappointed in the Champions League, especially this season when United were knocked out at the group stage.
A good World Cup this summer will reinforce his formidable reputation and will also ensure that should United, as widely predicted, allow him to leave this summer, a host of top clubs will form a non-too orderly queue for his signature.
Andrew Coulson.