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- WHO'S WHO Wednesday, September 4, 2002 Rutgerus (Ruud) Van Nistelrooy Club: Manchester United Shirt Number: Position: Forward Date of Birth: July 1, 1976 Birthplace: Oss, Netherlands Height:
Profile: From his career lying in tatters on an Eindhoven training ground to the most coveted striker in Europe, Van Nistelrooy had a 2001/02 season of high personal achievement. After a goal in the Charity Shield against Liverpool, his start to the season was slower than expected, perhaps a legacy of the much-criticised 4-5-1 formation Sir Alex Ferguson employed in United's stuttering start to the season. Van Nistelrooy led United's charge back to the top with a run of eight goals in eight games and was also on fire in the Champions League where he finished top scorer in the competition with ten goals. In Europe he played in that lone role and grew into a target man of real class, though it was in tandem with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that the Dutchman really flew. After such a long period out through injury he was always likely to run out of steam and so it proved as United faltered at the final hurdle. Though the club finished potless, Van Nistelrooy himself won the PFA Player of the Year Award. | |
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