Top 5 Players Who Had Rifts with Sir Alex Ferguson

#3 Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Mr Fox in the box

The Dutch hitman is probably the greatest striker to have played the game in the mid-2000s era. Van Nistelrooy was the perfect poacher, an absolute beast inside the box.

The former Madrid man had the finishing skills that every striker desires to have in his arsenal. His ability to strike the ball at the perfect place, at the right time was amazing.

He had the ability to pounce on any loose ball and put it at the back of the net. He had the ability to deceive the goalkeeper with the deftness of his shots. The forward had an excellent goalscoring record for Manchester United. In fact, Sir Alex once stated that he was the most selfish striker ever. Goals were all that meant anything to Van Nistelrooy.

The Dutch forward was never a great athlete. As said by Fergie himself, his fitness results were never amazing. However, he had the striker’s instinct that enabled him to turn up in crucial moments and eventually had a huge impact during his stay at Old Trafford.

The team had somewhat become dependent on him to score goals. Van Nistelrooy understood the situation and tried to play his tricks. He became quite arrogant and was unresponsive during his contract renewal talks.

Sir Alex was playing Louis Saha as the striker in the League Cup as Van Nistelrooy was rested for this particular tournament. However, in the finals, Nistelrooy wanted to play but Fergie preferred Saha over him. Sir Alex said that it would be unfair on Saha if he did not trust him to play in the final.

Nistelrooy got angry and hurled abuses at the manager. Ferguson had had enough. This was the peak of his foul behaviour and Fergie decided to fire him from the team.

Van Nistelrooy had a problem with Cristiano Ronaldo too and had teased him after the latter’s father’s death. This did not go well with Ronaldo and the gaffer too ousted the Dutch.

Going down the wire, it was a really bold move from Sir Alex. The team did not have any renowned strikers at that point of time and still he did not let Nistelrooy have any negative impact on the team.