Ruud would relish Ronaldo reunion

March 23, 2007

RED RAIDERS: Former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy with current star Cristiano Ronaldo

RUUD van Nistelrooy would relish the chance to line up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid next season, but has his doubts such a situation will materialise.

Ronaldo has been widely linked with a move to the Bernabeu since last summer, with Spanish media suggesting the Manchester United winger will be Madrid's number one transfer target at the end of the campaign.

However, United are keen to keep hold of the highly-rated Portugal international, and are currently in talks with the 22-year-old about extending his contract until 2012.

Van Nistelrooy, who played with Ronaldo at Old Trafford, has been hugely impressed with the former Sporting Lisbon player, but the Dutchman is not holding out hope of having him as a team-mate at Madrid next season.

"He is a very good player despite being only 22 years old. The best in the world," Van Nistelrooy said on Spanish radio station Cadena SER.

"Physically and technically he has learned a lot.

"For me it would be good if he came here. But it will be difficult to get Manchester United to let him escape."

When asked if he was compatible with Ronaldo, Van Nistelrooy added: "Yes. In training everything was good. There was chemistry."

Do you think Ronaldo's form has compensated for the loss of Van Nistelrooy? Have your say.

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TMUF, Manchester (23/03/2007 at 10:27)

Of course! As well as the football we are playing now and the spread of goals

seasider, blackpool (23/03/2007 at 10:34)

"Escape"? Give us a break, Ruud.

Reds4Ever, West Yorkshire (23/03/2007 at 10:38)

I thougt the Van was moved on because him and Ronny couldn't stand the sight of each other. Is this just more of Real's games?

DC, Amsterdam (23/03/2007 at 10:42)

Having played for us, and known the tactics of the Real Brigade in trying to lure/unsettle players at our club, its pretty disappointing to hear Ruud become another Marca mouthpiece.

chris, oxford (23/03/2007 at 10:47)

Red4ever: I think it was more of a case of Ruud falling out with Fergie than him having a problem with Ronaldo - something the media would have us believe.

TMUF, Manchester (23/03/2007 at 10:49)

Oh and has anyone noticed, that while RvN is banging in the goals still, Real are suffering one oth their lowest scoring seasons ever. Coincidence?

Steve in Brussels (23/03/2007 at 10:56)

YES - quite simply it is more of Madrid's propaganda campaign. They interview Raul, Reyes, Diarra or in this case Ruud and talk about whatever and then ALWAYS start asking questions about players they are a tapping up. "Do you think Ronaldo is a good player?" the answer is obviously less - bingo they have their "story" "Ruud wants Ronie in Madrid".

Mick, Dublin (23/03/2007 at 10:57)

"For me it would be good if he came here" It sure would, because he might drag the team you just joined out of it's current mediocrity!

I've nothing against Ruud though. He's just responding to questions from the Ronni-obsessed Spanish media and he's not saying anything too controversial. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and assume his use of the word "escape" got lost in translation.

Augustus Ncube, Johannesburg (23/03/2007 at 11:00)

Are we not all tired of such stories?

lyal, Ldn (23/03/2007 at 11:05)

Go away Ruud, enjoy your life as an under achieving Galactico

Demo, Glossop (23/03/2007 at 11:06)

The reason he got dropped was cos he fell out with ronnie. Ruud you were a good servant to us and i will always remember your time as a red fondly but now your a madrid player and i must ask you to be quiet and bog off back to spain

Loyal to the End (31 years, City Fans, 31 years), Nottingham, ex-Malaysia (23/03/2007 at 11:37)

Everything was good on the training ground? Shyeah right, next thing you know, Saha's your best friend in the whole world and Van Basten is your godfather.. Come on Ruud, you ruined your career, don't ruin Ronnie's..

TMUF, Manchester (23/03/2007 at 11:55)

LOL it wasn't that long ago people suggested if Ruud or Ronaldo were to leave they would prefer to see the latter.

Alias Smith, over the moon (23/03/2007 at 11:55)

TMUF, absolutely NOT a coincidence.

Steve Chew, usa (23/03/2007 at 12:22)

Remember Ruud was the one that ridiculed Ronaldo being Queroz's godson right after CR's own father passed away and he was still grieving. That was the beginning of the bust up between the 2. Ruud's not only ingenuous but he has no class as well. All he wants to do is to bring down SAF and MU if he can. Ronaldo's too smart to give such a 'snake' any credibility.

Steve, Glossop (23/03/2007 at 12:26)

Firstly I was under the impression the alleged training ground incident was actually not with Ronaldo but concerned Master Fletcher. Ruud's a Madrid player he was probably just asked a Q but maybe all the Madrid players have been instructed to woo Ronaldo who knows. But I wish some on here would remember all the goals he scored & while it's history that he was humiliated by the manager which IMO ultimately knocked millions off his transfer fee. Of course though the results this season speak for themself.

keen bgood (23/03/2007 at 13:00)

RVN was a good servant to the club, other teams figured out how to play us, stop RVN and you got a shot to beat ManU....running offense through RVN gave every team the a chance and stiffeled the quality of the rest of the team...especially Roo, Ron, Saha, Giggs.... The cry from some of the posts from this site were senseless saying "who's going to replace the goals" scored by RVN. The ignorance of some of the posts was bottomless...I was beginning to believe has anyone on this site actually played a team sport with quality teammates....I for one could not wait for SAF to sell RVN he never made his teammates better, the offense was stagnant and constipated...we are back to our best playing flowing and positive football with goal threats from every position....Rejoice, rejoice !!! We all want the best for ManU and we are getting it now ....Good luck Ruud but ask yourself why would Ronaldo want to play with you again....have you seen the scorelines of ManU games lately!! BTW you "policeman" of this site,you know who you are "try duct tape"!

Steve in Brussels (23/03/2007 at 13:04)

Steve Chew - get real - you are just giving Madrid the kind of response they want. "All he wants to do is to bring down SAF and MU if he can" - no he doesn't. He has said since leaving his time at United was the best time of his career and always will be. Mark my words - RVN, as with Becks, will be routing for United to win trophies - and hopefully even the treble and if you believe otherwise just remember a rule of thumb. Press = mischief-maker. Spanish Madrid press = tapping up machine for Real Madrid. I'm tired of saying it so often. Most are now understanding me - it is about time the rest of you figured out the Madrid rhetoric play-book. Mick - same again as yesterday, though this time I beat you by one minute matey!

Mercury, Brussels (23/03/2007 at 14:23)

Ruud was a better goal machine for us but a poor public relation for Madrid. He's been used by Madrid propaganda. I liked him in his time at OT, but always felt that he's got such a big ego (ie : ask van basten),that SAF behaved in the same way that he did with Becks : SOLD! no one is greater than United and their fans. Now Ruudi, be a good boy, score goals for your declining team, help them reach the pinacle of their remarkable season : get the 4th place! in order to compete with the likes of Man Utd in the next CL, will you? leave us alone and enjoy your sunny days (althoug it seems quite dark in your head)

Joe, Malta (23/03/2007 at 14:39)

I would like to remember Ruud for all the goals he scored for us, but this must be at least the third appeal he made to Ronaldo.
As for trouble with mates and managers, apart from Fergie and Ronaldo, he also had some troubles of his own with Dutch mates. In October 2005, he was involved in a heated argument during training and Van Basten sent him off. Months later, he fell out with Van Basten again.
I m not saying this to denigrate Ruud, but parts of the media and also some fans, gave Fergie all the blame for the Ruud-Fergie fued portraying Ruud as some sort of sacrificed lamb. Which he is not.

stu, london (23/03/2007 at 14:50)

Put a sock in it Ruud, lest you want to irrepairably damage your Red reputation.

Whaley Bridge Cynic (23/03/2007 at 15:52)

This is all to do with the forthcomind elections in Madrid that Ferguson alluded to last week.
You can't compare the two because the team has moved on and play a different style. Both players have their strengths and weaknesses but as Ronaldo improves each week don't forget the Dutchman's contribution.

de Meester, netherlands (23/03/2007 at 16:45)

Standards and double are two words to describe Ruud's uttering.
madrid will not let go, like the hungry dog that's just found a bone!!
I wish they'd go away!

giorgio, Malta (23/03/2007 at 17:59)

Let Ruud shut up! For what he wants Ronaldo with him? We want success for Manchester United. So we need him at Old Trafford.
Ruud betrayed us. He played well until the last year. If he had presure of something else he should have solved it himself. Not saying that he wants to stay at United and the not scoring a penalty, or those open chances which expressed lack of commitment (for the viewer mind you). We pity him that during his time we had no success in Europe. So please leave us and our new team alone.
Has he forgot how many times he used to lament that Ronaldo does not pass him the ball?

Steve Chew, usa (23/03/2007 at 18:00)

Steve in Brussels, if Ruud's time at MU was his best, why would he encourage someone to move to a second best choice? I ackonwledge Ruud's contribution at MU was significant and never belittled it. People do have a change of heart for whatever the cause. Nothing is as ever done without an ulterior motive and for his own honor and legacy with MU, Ruud should keep out of this controversy.

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