Old Trafford acclaims Van Nistelrooy
The biggest attendance in Premier League history rose to acclaim Ruud van Nistelrooy as Manchester United strode to the summit for the first time this season.
In front of 67,706 largely adoring fans, the prolific Dutchman netted his second hat-trick of another goal-saturated campaign, which included a solo effort the like of which even Old Trafford’s Theatre of Dreams has rarely been privileged to witness.
Faced with a mass of white shirts when he picked up possession midway through the second half in a seemingly innocuous position close to the halfway line, van Nistelrooy spotted a gap, brushed off Sylvain Legwinski, then beat another five Fulham defenders as he charged into the box.
The hit-man strode on, then opened up the angle to beat impressive Cottagers keeper Maik Taylor with a clinical finish.
It was van Nistelrooy’s 31st strike of another prolific season and there was still another to follow as he tapped home a close-range effort from Ryan Giggs’ cross in the final minute to complete a magnificent individual display, which also turned up the heat on Arsenal.
“I got the ball maybe just in their half and turned and dribbled and dribbled on and on," said van Nistelrooy.
“I saw space on the left. The goalkeeper came out, and I put it in.”
Asked if it was his best goal for United, he said: “I think so – but not the best in my career.”
The striker dismissed claims he might have elbowed Sylvain Legwinski when he started on his run.
“Elbow? I don’t know; maybe it happened – but it didn’t happen on purpose.
“You can’t beat Saturdays like this with the atmosphere, the weather, the pitch. It was tremendous to play, and the result and the goals have made it a hell of a day.”
