Soccer: Man Utd to become "Ruud"less?

[Appels]

MANCHESTER, England (AP) - Ruud van Nistelrooy is on his way out of Manchester United and probably out of English soccer.

United manager Alex Ferguson said on Friday that the Dutch striker and prolific goalscorer had asked to leave the Reds. Now United seems certain to let him go as long as the price is right.

"I am waiting for Manchester United chief executive David Gill to fill me in but Ruud van Nistelrooy has asked to leave the club," the manager told the club's TV channel, MUTV, on Friday.

"There may be some interest from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich."

After a successful spell in which he scored more than 150 goals for the Reds, Van Nistelrooy's form slumped in the final few months of the season. He was furious after being left on the bench for the 4-0 victory over Wigan in the League Cup final Feb. 26.

A training ground spat with teammate Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly left the Portuguese winger in tears and, when the Dutch striker was again left off the lineup for the final Premier League game against Charlton on May 7, he walked out of Old Trafford before kickoff.

Van Nistelrooy's five-year spell at United seemed certain to end when Ferguson then banned the striker from Roy Keane's May 9 tribute game against Celtic at Old Trafford.

With Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and New York-born Italian Giuseppe Rossi on the squad, United may be able to handle the loss of Van Nistelrooy, whose poor form continued into the World Cup.

Although he scored in the Dutch victory over the Ivory Coast, he was dropped for the second round loss to Portugal.

Copyright Associated Press 2006

[Dark Drakan]

Im sure if Saha stays in form we can cope without him, plus the cash we get can be put towards some new players.