Ruud call for Fergie to stay
Ruud van Nistelrooy has called on Alex Ferguson to extend his stay at Manchester United.
The prolific Dutch marksman, who won the Premier League Golden Boot after notching 25 goals in United’s surge to the title, will forever be grateful to Ferguson for maintain an interest in him even after an initial move to Old Trafford had dramatically collapsed amid fitness concerns.
Ferguson made his move once van Nistelrooy had recovered from his subsequent ruptured cruciate ligament injury, snapping the 26-year-old up for £18.5m (€25.5m) from PSV in one of the shrewdest pieces of business the Scot has ever completed.
Having ended a season-long barren streak by landing his eighth English championship, the talk is now of Ferguson extending the three-year contract he signed at the end of last season after reversing his decision to retire.
United chief executive Peter Kenyon has already indicated the club would be willing to sanction such a move and, at 61, Ferguson, who looked fit and healthy in the latter stages of the campaign, is still a few years behind Newcastle chief Bobby Robson.
And if he does sign a new deal, no-one would be more delighted than van Nistelrooy, who is predicting a future ladened with success for the Red Devils.
“The manager will never lose his hunger and I think he will stay here for a long time,” van Nistelrooy told MUTV.
“He has been fantastic for this club and has won so many trophies with them.
“I am very grateful for what he did for me and to Manchester United for keeping their trust in me.
“It is fantastic to work with him and if we can all play at our top level we have some great years ahead of us.”
On the eve of the all-Italian Champions League final at Old Trafford, Ferguson is already plotting an assault on next season’s competition.
Brazilian star Ronaldinho, Leeds winger Harry Kewell and American goalkeeper Tim Howard have already been listed as possible summer signings, with a central defender and another goalkeeper also lined up.
It will certainly be hard for Ferguson and his team to watch tomorrow night’s game without a tinge of regret given they twice beat favourites Juventus in the second group stage.
“We have proved this season we can take on the best and win,” said van Nistelrooy.
“We have beaten Juventus twice and won against Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna.
“We now have to take that last step and improve a little bit more. The hardest bit is to go all the way and win the final.
“However, with the age and quality in the squad and the experienced we have gained over the last few years we can do better. If it all comes together for us we are capable of winning it.”
