Van Nistelrooy shoulders blame for derby draw

MANCHESTER United hit-man Ruud van Nistelrooy has accepted some of the blame for Sunday’s disappointing derby-day draw.

The prolific Dutchman looked like becoming the Old Trafford hero when he swept home Ryan Giggs' cross to put United in front. But his failure to notch his 28th goal of the season after the interval when he was put clear by Rio Ferdinand proved crucial as City fought back to snatch a point.

The 26-year-old admitted he should have reacted far quicker to Ferdinand's long punt forward, instead of allowing Sylvain Distin to slide in and make a brilliant tackle, just as the £18.5million striker was about to pull the trigger.