Rumour mill: Magpies eye Ruud swoop

March 16, 2006

NEWCASTLE are reportedly interested in signing Reds striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The Dutch striker, the joint top scorer in the Premiership this season with 19, has been dropped by Sir Alex Ferguson for the last three games in favour of Louis Saha.

That has led to speculation over Van Nisterlooy's future, and the Daily Telegraph report that the Magpies are "monitoring" the situation.

Newcastle are searching for a successor to Alan Shearer, who plans to retire at the end of the season, and rumours persist that his fellow Newcastle striker Michael Owen could still be tempted by a move back to Liverpool.

Should United cash in on Van Nistelrooy? Have your say.

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Jason, swindon (16/03/2006 at 10:28)

i think this is looking like the david beckham scenario all over again, i hope im wrong and the newspapers just havent got anything else to write about, ruud is quality.

Mick, Dublin (16/03/2006 at 10:29)

Yeah, yeah, just like they came close to signing Rooney. More leaks to the press. Ruud may or may not want out but this will never happen.

Red Rob, West Lower (16/03/2006 at 10:32)

Ok, stop it now.

A.S, Stretford, Manchester (16/03/2006 at 10:36)

why bother posting such a silly none event of a story?
If Ruud did leave he would join another of world footballs elite clubs, not Newcastle.

Kevin, Tralee, Eire (16/03/2006 at 10:44)

Who writes this rubbish? Newcastle? For crying out loud I know it's silly season regarding transfer rumours, but at least link the guy with a decent team, Milan or Barca or suchlike. If I was Ruud I would be deeply hurt to be linked with Newcastle. What next Citeh putting in a bid consisting of a container load of burberry hats & 2 council houses.

steve, Glossop (16/03/2006 at 10:53)

Nice one Kevin!

bernard matthews, lovin the turkey(aka evra fan club) (16/03/2006 at 10:54)

Kevin,Tralee

Where are you?...Figures.

Its "Cideh" you muppet.

Please go and get a job, Council houses and burberry hats?
Better than living in a shed and wearing a mac.

4 points yet again.

Jeannot, Cape Town (16/03/2006 at 11:00)

I can't see the Van Man signing for a weak team: he is not Owen or Baros who snubbed Lyon (and the CL for money). And if he finally decides to leave UTD (which will be his right and we will have to respect that), I see him signing for Milan or Barcelona. Some may be surprised that I mention Barcelona. But look, they wanted to sign Henry but it does not seem that he will tell them his position until the end of the season and Arsenal's position in the CL(and the EPL). If they cannot sign Henry, so who is as good as him but in a different style? Moreover, larsson is old and will retire at the end of this current season. A strike force including Ronaldhino, Messi, Etoo and Van Nistlerooy will win everything in Spain and in Europe for the next four years. Except from if Chelsea buys him before. He's the missing link in their system as I think Drogba was overpriced and Crespo is finished.But let not speculate too much: Van Nistelrooy could have left two years when Madrid wanted him. He chose to stay with us. This time is a bit different because Ferguson is getting seriously older and has no vision anymore. It's funny, three weeks ago, everybody was talking about Henry leaving Arsenal and now the world only talks about Van Nistelrooy leaving us. Sometimes you wonder if Ferguson does not want to do what Arsenal does:look, last year, they sold Vieira and no one saw that coming. few months later, well, Ferguson had to sell Keane. Arsenal had this strategic disruptive move. Ferguson had to follow the move. He is a follower. However, the difference between the two is that Arsenal parted with Vieira professionally. Ferguson quickly terminated Keane's contract as if he had a contagious disease.And even if Henry does leave Arsenal, Wenger and their staff would do it gracefully. So, the question is What is wrong with this old man? Please let me know, I am waiting for the logical answer...

Jack Thorley, Timperley (16/03/2006 at 11:10)

Although at 29 Ruud is on the downward curve,I dont think he will be joining Newcastle,they probably could not afford the ??4 million fee anyway.

liam, salford (16/03/2006 at 11:19)

if he does leave good luck to him he's been a greta player for us. If he does we should buy a powerful forward like Adriano )although this is unlikely, we'll probably buy some second rate south american who can't handle the aggresivenss and pace of the PL). we have pace in saha and rooney to link the midfield and strikers plus rossi should come through next season as well. Talk of riquelme is stupid he will be another veron we need someone strong who is used to the style of football like form the dutch league (sneijder) or the french league (diarra) or someone in this league like Nolan

Ibrahim, Nigeria (16/03/2006 at 11:22)

Why are we always doing our self? we are not through from the one we have on the ground we are creating another prtoblem again why why why United ? What it is purpose of sale this guy out of united square why infact am tied of this ferguson pleaze if this man did know what it is doing again you better go away from mu club, some order club are keeping their striker and you are plan to sale the good one you have out why? The worst striker in england club which cise and drogba they dont plan to sell them out why for van-nistelrroy why? okay look at the vote now, what are you going to do with this voting are you brilant morthen this people that vote ?

Joe, Malta (16/03/2006 at 11:27)

No Kevin, he is still too young for City. In 4-5 years time maybe..

darren, blackpool (16/03/2006 at 11:29)

this story is rubbish if rudd leaves united then newcastle would be near to the bottom
of at least 15 clubs that could afford him .

really utd paid 20 million for him who say's he is now worth less than 10 million come off it not the spendaholics from london can say they have the prem's top goal-scorer can they,
fergie out.

boost the top prem goal-scorer do they.

Frank, Old Trafford (16/03/2006 at 11:36)

Alias, please answer Jeannot's question, please, please. I can't wait!

Jem, Manchester (16/03/2006 at 11:40)

If we are going to lose the Premierships top striker, then let it not be for a player who spends most of every season out injured. Though the idea of a straight swap is pretty absurd; the rumour of a rift between Fergie and Ruud is not. Few would be surprised if Ruud left the club in the summer. Fergies admiration of Owen is also pretty well known. Factor in Fergies increasingly erratic behaviour and the possibility of Owen limping out as Ruuds replacement next season becomes more believable. A truly depressing prospect (particularly if Chelsea or Liverpool were able to secure the signature of Fernando Torres).

des zackey, cape town (16/03/2006 at 11:41)

ferguson has lost it he tends to sell all the talent but keeps the scrap like fletcher richardson and saha keep van the man and get rid of ferguoson querous and their scrap

Farai, Harare (16/03/2006 at 11:44)

Barca cant wait any longer to sign him

stu, london (16/03/2006 at 11:48)

An absurd story that we should not be legitimising by commenting on. I shall focus on other threads.

chris, oxford (16/03/2006 at 11:48)

Jem, nicely put. Why would we want another injury prone striker? The jury is still out on whether Saha can stay injury free so that would be all we need - both Owen and Saha crocked for a few months, bye bye title challenge! I cant believe Fergie would be daft enough to consider a swap deal for Owen, surely his judgement hasn't got that bad?

steve, Glossop (16/03/2006 at 11:50)

Don't expect any logic from fans like Alias he'll just try to wriggle out & try to faze you with bogus financial stuff!

GEORGE, RHYL (16/03/2006 at 12:48)

The team will not be damaged by the exit of Ruud.He will be an asset to someone but UNITED have to look to the future.ROSSI/ROONEY?

Mick, Dublin (16/03/2006 at 12:57)

I wouldn't hold your breath for a logical answer to "What is wrong with this old man?". Try starting with a logical question if you want logical answers. As for the effect of the departure of Keane vs. the departure of Vieira, you should try applying some logic next time you read the Premiership table. You might find some answers there. By the way, have you read a single interview from Keano complaining about the manner of his departure? Well Vieira couldn't wait to whine to the press about getting squeezed out of Arsenal. Admittedly Keane is not the type of person to whinge about anything but none of us know exactly how SAF handled that tough decision and the only thing evident from any interviews since he left is a continued massive amount of mutual respect. Besides, we're scoring a lot more goals now we're not accomodating Keane's aging legs in a 5 man midfield and it looks like Celtic are only going to get a handful of games out of him before he retires in the summer. And in case you need the blindingly obvious pointed out to you, Jeannot, (and let's be honest, nothing in your post suggests otherwise) Arsenal without Henry don't even come close to comparing with United without Ruud. Ruud is a legend and a fantastic player but we're lucky enough to have some world class backup and have won every game since he got dropped. But this strength in depth in our squad is just coincidence and nothing to do with the "old man", right? Where are Arsenal's world class strikers keeping Henry out of the team on merit? I hope there's anough logic in this post to keep you lot happy. If not, I'll try sticking in a quadratic equation next time.

The Hinemeister, Withington Deepest Mancunia (16/03/2006 at 13:06)

Best striker in the world bar non MY ARSE

Alias Smith, over the moon (16/03/2006 at 13:09)

Frank, if I thought her points had merit, I might be tempted but I don't think they do so I'm not. I have to admit it's original idea though, that somehow SAF is a follower of Wenger. I suppose it might explain why we lost money on Forlan - we were trying to follow Arsenal's example with Jeffers and Wiltord! BTW, how are those splinters mate?

Tooth&Claw, Manchester/Glasgow (16/03/2006 at 13:23)

Seriously. Why do we have to put up with nonsense like this from the United-hating press. They make up these nonsense stories to have a dig at United and SAF in particular. 7m!!! Newcastle!!!! You're having a laugh.

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