RUUD WILL TEAR YOU APART

Last updated : 10 June 2004 By Editor

The much improved Mirror reports:

‘Ruud Van Nistelrooy is at the centre of a furious row which is threatening to tear the Dutch squad apart. Holland boss Dick Advocaat is ready to drop van Nistelrooy in favour of Barcelona star Patrick Kluivert and use him as a lone striker.

‘But it has brought an angry response from Manchester United striker van Nistelrooy who said: "I did not come to Euro 2004 to sit on the bench."

‘The tension is now threatening to tear apart the Dutch squad which is once again in danger of self destructing after a string of similar internal bust-ups at major tournaments down the years.

‘Van Nistelrooy has had a long-running dispute with Advocaat who refused to pick him for some qualifying games and has made it clear that he believes Kluivert is in better shape and form.

‘It leaves van Nistelrooy facing the axe for Holland's Euro 2004 opener with Germany in Tuesday's Group D opener in Porto.’