Football Icons: Ruud van Nistelrooy

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The Dutch striker scored 150 times for Manchester United and is often considered one of the best of his generation.

Let's take a look at his career. This is based on article originally posted by Greater Manchester Football. They asked the question, how good was Ruud van Nistelrooy?

Adios Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Goals at PSV catch the eye

He scored 77 goals in 90 matches for PSV. This earned him a move to Manchester United. 

In the Spring of 2000, he looked set to complete a then club-record £18.5 million transfer to Manchester United.

He was to be unveiled at a press conference four days later, but it was instead announced that the transfer had been postponed over concerns about his fitness.

Not long after, he suffered a rupture to his anterior cruciate knee ligaments during a training session, leaving him injured for a year.

Eventual move and success at Manchester United

In his first season at Old Trafford, he scored 36 goals in 49 appearances. One of his best performances came in a 3-2 FA Cup win over Aston Villa. 

Despite his goals, Manchester United finished the season trophyless. His goal record improved during the following season, he scored 44 goals. This was the best season of his career. He helped United retain the Premier League and developed a great attacking partnership with Paul Scholes.

Read more great stories about other football icons

Personal rivalry with Arsenal

The next season was mixed for the striker and the whole club. United finished 3rd in the Premier League but won the FA Cup. 

Van Nistelrooy scored 30 goals but there was a definite low point. A missed penalty against Arsenal became a symbol of United's whole season.

In the following season, he got revenge. He scored a penalty that played a part in United ending Arsenal's historic unbeaten run.

Departure from Old Trafford, success at Real Madrid and retirement

He left Old Trafford in the summer of 2006. He finished his time at Old Trafford with 150 goals in 219 games. The striker moved to Real Madrid where he won La Liga on two occasions. He developed a good relationship with people at the club despite his relatively short spell with the club. 

The Dutch legend retired in 2012 after brief spells at Hamburg SV and Malaga.

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