Ruud van Nistelrooy was a Dutch striker who played for Manchester United from 2001 to 2006. During his time at the club, he established himself as one of the best forwards in the world, scoring an incredible 150 goals in just 219 appearances.
Van Nistelrooy was signed by Manchester United from PSV Eindhoven in 2001 for a reported fee of £19 million. He made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut against Fulham, and quickly established himself as a key player in the team. In his first season at the club, he scored 36 goals in all competitions, helping United to win the Premier League title.
Over the next few seasons, van Nistelrooy continued to score at an incredible rate, becoming the Premier League’s top scorer for three consecutive seasons between 2002 and 2004. He also helped Manchester United win the Premier League title in 2003, as well as the FA Cup in 2004.
Van Nistelrooy’s playing style was characterized by his clinical finishing, excellent movement off the ball, and ability to score from a variety of different positions. He was also known for his competitive streak, and was not afraid to show his frustration when things didn’t go his way.
Despite his success on the field, van Nistelrooy’s time at Manchester United was not always smooth sailing. He fell out with manager Sir Alex Ferguson towards the end of his time at the club, and was eventually sold to Real Madrid in 2006 for a reported fee of around £10 million.
Despite his relatively short time at Manchester United, van Nistelrooy is widely regarded as one of the club’s greatest ever strikers. His incredible goal-scoring record, as well as his impact on the team’s success in the early 2000s, mean that he will always be remembered as a legend at Old Trafford.
Here are some memorable quotes by Ruud van Nistelrooy during his time at Manchester United:
“It is always important to score goals for your team. That’s what I’m there for, to make the difference.”
“I always want to score more goals, but I’m very happy with the goals I’ve scored so far.”
“I just try to be myself, and that’s what got me here. I don’t try to be anyone else.”
“The fans are amazing, they are the best fans in the world. They really get behind us and it gives us an extra push.”
“Winning is the most important thing, and I’m happy to have contributed to the team’s success.”
“I always try to give everything for the team, whether it’s scoring goals or defending. That’s what being a team player is all about.”
“I have to be honest, I’m not always happy when I’m not scoring goals. But I try to stay positive and keep working hard.”
“I’m always looking for ways to improve my game. You can never be too good, and there’s always something to learn.”
“It’s important to enjoy football and have fun on the pitch. That’s what keeps me motivated and focused.”
“Manchester United is a special club, with a great history and tradition. It’s an honor to be a part of it.”
Here are some quotes about Ruud van Nistelrooy at Manchester United from others:
“He was an amazing finisher, probably the best I’ve ever played with. When he was on the pitch, you always had the feeling that he could score at any moment.” – Ryan Giggs, former teammate at Manchester United.
“He was a player with great character and attitude. He was always hungry for goals, always ready to fight for the team.” – Sir Alex Ferguson, former Manchester United manager.
“Ruud was one of the best strikers in the world during his time at Manchester United. He was a true professional and a great team player.” – Cristiano Ronaldo, former teammate at Manchester United.
“He was a predator in front of goal. He could finish from any angle and with either foot. He was just lethal.” – Paul Scholes, former teammate at Manchester United.
“He was a great player, one of the best strikers I’ve ever seen. He had a great sense of positioning and was always looking to score goals.” – Roy Keane, former teammate and captain at Manchester United.
“Ruud was a born goalscorer. He had an incredible ability to score from any situation, and he was always hungry for more.” – Gary Neville, former teammate at Manchester United.
“He was a true professional and a great ambassador for the club. He always gave everything for the team and the fans loved him for it.” – David Beckham, former teammate at Manchester United.