Thursday 12 April 2012

Ruud hails time at United


Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has described his time at Old Trafford as like ‘living a dream’.

For the Dutchman, goalscoring wasn’t just a habit it was a necessity. Van Nistelrooy struck 150 goals in five seasons for United making him the club’s 11th all-time top scorer.

However, it wasn’t just his awesome record in front of goal that endeared him to United fans. The sheer passion with which he celebrated each time he hit the back of the net struck a chord with Red Devils fan across the world.

Now plying his trade for Spanish Primera League side Malaga, after spells with Real Madrid and Hamburg, Van Nistelrooy still looks back on his time at the Theatre of Dreams with fondness.

“It was a fantastic five years,” he told Inside United. “It was crazy, all the games we played in the league and in the Champions League. As a football player, playing for United at Old Trafford, it was something crazy and it felt like a dream at the time. Now, looking back, it is even more special because it was really successful and exceptional.”

Having won Premier League, FA Cup and Carling Cup titles at United it is perhaps no surprise Van Nistelrooy enjoyed his time at the club but he does admit to one regret.

“My relationship with the fans was really special,” he added. “From the first day I signed it was there and it just gives you that extra 10 to 20 per cent on the pitch home and away. My relationship with the fans was special and that’s why leaving in the way I did was, and still is, a real shame for me because I couldn’t really say goodbye to them. It was my only regret that it went like that and it’s a real shame that it happened, particularly for the fans as I saw the players and the people at the club before I left but I never got a chance to properly say goodbye to the fans.”

Despite being in the twilight of his career Van Nistelrooy is still doing what he does best – scoring goals. The 35-year-old has scored twice in his last three games to keep mega-rich Malaga well and truly in the hunt for a Champions League place. Unsurprisingly Van Nistelrooy is making the most of every kick at this late stage of his career.

“Malaga is the perfect place for me to be at the moment,” he said. “I am enjoying every moment here and I am enjoying the project (Malaga were bought by a member of the Qatari Royal family in 2010, with plans to bring UCL football to the Spanish club), the club and the young squad that we have, so yes, I am enjoying every moment of it.”

For the full interview buy a copy of this month’s Inside United magazine.