Report: The real reason why Man Utd sold Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Rob McCarthy

A close friend of former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that he knows the real reason why Ruud Van Nistelrooy left Old Trafford in 2006.

The Dutchman enjoyed a prolific five years with United, scoring 95 Premier League goals in 150 appearances for the Red Devils, before heading to Real Madrid for €14million.

At the time, Ferguson claimed that Van Nistelrooy wanted to leave the club but according to former PM Tony Blair’s ex-communications officer, Alastair Campbell, it was Fergie who wanted the player out after a spat with Cristiano Ronaldo.

He alleged (via SI.com): “He [Van Nistelrooy] told Cristiano that he had found a new father in Carlos Queiroz (Ferguson’s assistant manager at the time) a little after Cristiano’s real father had died of alcoholism.

“Carlos told him to have some respect but he said that he didn’t have to respect anybody. He then later excused himself but Cristiano did not accept it.

“Ferguson sent Van Nistelrooy home when he heard what happened and he was then moved to Real not long after that. Ruud always put himself first which was a problem indeed…”.