Ruud van Nistelrooy, ostracised and placed for sale at Manchester United, could not conceal his anguish last night as he reflected on becoming the latest player to learn that anyone who crosses Alex Ferguson will be ruthlessly disposed of.
Choosing his words carefully and not making direct reference to Ferguson, van Nistelrooy said he had not given up hope of playing for United again but he was not "naive" and had accepted the chances of it happening were, at best, minimal.
The Netherlands striker, in Lausanne on a pre-World Cup training camp, has not spoken to Ferguson since being dropped for United's final Premiership game of the season against Charlton Athletic and informed that he would not be welcome at Old Trafford for Roy Keane's testimonial two days later. Ferguson blamed it on "a couple of incidents" in training, one being an argument with Cristiano Ronaldo, but van Nistelrooy was dismayed by reports that he had left the team hotel of his own volition.
According to the 29-year-old, Ferguson ordered him home. "One thing I want to make clear is that I went because I had to go, not because I went myself," he said. "I know a lot of people in Manchester don't understand it; well, it is the same for me. I love Manchester United."
His preference is to wait until after the World Cup before sorting out his future whereas Ferguson would rather rid himself of what he believes to be a disruptive player as quickly as possible to raise money for a hectic period of transfer activity at Old Trafford. The club want to get their summer business done before the World Cup and van Nistelrooy's departure would increase their financial position by about £10 million to £15 million.
Meanwhile, Fernando Morientes' brief and far from inspiring spell at Liverpool appears to be drawing to a close after Real Betis, Espanyol and the Turkish club Fenerbahce expressed an interest in signing the three-time European Cup winner.
Iain Dowie's fragile relationship with the Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan fractured for good last night after the club's manager of two and a half years left Selhurst Park apparently by mutual consent but with an interview lined up at London neighbours Charlton Athletic in the next 48 hours.
Arsenal were last night reported to have signed Czech Republic midfielder Tomas Rosicky from Borussia Dortmund. It was claimed in Rosicky's homeland the 25-year-old had passed a medical in London and signed a contract with the Gunners.
West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has withdrawn through injury from England's World Cup standby list and has been replaced by Everton's Phil Neville, the English FA said yesterday.
England expect to discover if Wayne Rooney can travel to Germany after he undergoes a fresh scan on his broken foot on Thursday. Sven-Goran Eriksson was non-committal on team doctor Leif Sward's claim that Rooney was making "a perfect recovery".
"He will have a scan and after that we will hopefully know more or less when he will be ready," said England's manager.
