Revealed: The violent bust-up with Ronaldo which ended Van Nistelrooy's Man United career
A TRAINING ground row between Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruud van Nistelrooy was the catalyst which spelled the end of the Dutchman's Manchester United career.
The explosive claims come from an extract in Spanish football expert Guillem Balague's book, 'Cristiano Ronaldo: The Biography'.
The excerpt details Van Nistelrooy's growing unhappiness at Ronaldo's refusal to cross the ball.
And then hints at jealousy from the striker towards the Portuguese winger which ultimately ended with Van Nistelrooy leaving in 2006 after scoring 150 goals in five seasons at Old Trafford.
"Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 goals in five seasons at the club, was United’s big star when Cristiano arrived. All of a sudden, a thin, adolescent Portuguese trickster was winning over supporters.
"'They had a couple of arguments,' revealed Ferdinand.
"'Ruud Van Nistelrooy kicked him one time and after that I kicked Ruud just to protect Ronnie a little bit and Ruud swung a punch at me and he missed'.
"That incident took place just before the final match of the 2005–06 campaign against Charlton. Cristiano started while Van Nistelrooy did not make the squad. The Dutchman would never play for the club again."
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