RUUD NOT FOR SALE

Last updated : 30 April 2004 By Editor
Manchester United have moved to put a stop to the rumours that have been
doing the rounds by saying that Ruud van Nistelrooy will not be moving this
summer. Ruud's agent Rodger Linse has allegedly met with both the
chairman of Real Madrid and Barcelona. While Ruud is alleged to have had
busts up Fergie, Roy Keane, David Bellion and just about anybody who has
been to Carrington this last month.

"We have already said he is not for sale," Gill said in the MEN

"We can't be any more specific. We've been categorical about this. The facts
of the situation are the same as they were a week, two weeks, three weeks,
four weeks ago.

"We've signed Ruud on a long contract, and that wasn't done lightly or without
planning.

"He has another four-and-a-half years here. That is fact. There is no point
saying anything else.

"Read last Saturday's programme. Ruud was categorical, and we've been
categorical. What else can we say?"

And just in case you spent your money more wisely than on the official
programme last Saturday Ruud told had said:

'I signed a contract here showing that I don't want to leave but still people
write stories.

'It doesn't matter what people say. I am staying here, I am not going anywhere and I'm optimistic about the future.'

However it doesn't stop the Sun claiming that there is a Beckham-like feud
going on between Fergie and RVN and the Mirror claims Ruud has a clause in
his contract allowing him to speak to other clubs.

What with the Premiership already wrapped up this story probably won't go
away until Euro 2004.