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#8 Ruud van Nistelrooy
Dutchman van Nistelrooy joined United a year later than scheduled following a serious ACL injury in the summer of 2000. He signed a year later for a club record £19 million and arrived with massive expectations. Having recovered successfully from the injury, the Dutchman took the league by storm as he netted 23 league goals and an incredible 36 in all competitions, with only Thierry Henry netting more in the Premier League.
His 10 Champions League goals propelled United to the semi-finals, and the Dutchman's stirring form enabled them to score 87 league goals, though it was not enough to pose a successful title challenge. van Nistelrooy's exploits also earned him the PFA Player of the Year title.
He registered even better goal scoring numbers the following season, with his league-high tally of 25 league goals helping United to win their eighth Premier League title in 11 seasons.
