Van Nistelrooy silent on United future

West Brom 1 Man Utd 2

He probably needed it too after spending 90 minutes shivering in the dug-out waiting in vain for a call to arms from Alex Ferguson.

After making a mad dash to the midlands on his return to England following a family bereavement, the nearest van Nistelrooy came to getting involved in the action was a rant at the referee after a dubious decision. The sweat only came from a rigorous post-match work-out with the rest of United's substitutes.

United have broken their silence on van Nistelrooy's status within the squad with first assistant Carlos Queiroz, then Ferguson insisting the Dutchman remains in their long-term plans.

Yet van Nistelrooy himself remains silent, unwilling at this stage to reiterate his love of all things United and happiness in the Manchester area.

The 29-year-old's wish not to talk publicly on his omission is understandable but it leaves a void for speculation and rumour to fill. And yet the story has already moved on from the sensation of van Nistelrooy's axing to exactly when he will be back.

It wasn't this week, and it doesn't look like it'll be next week either if form is any guide, because Louis Saha is presently undroppable.

Saha's well-taken double secured a fifth straight win for Ferguson's men and took the Frenchman's tally for a season which only started in November to 13. His all-round performance was outstanding and, if there is one better striker in the country just now, his name is Wayne Rooney.

Ferguson said: "Louis is in great form and he merits his inclusion at the moment. It is unfortunate for Ruud but his turn will come, no question about that."

Queiroz on Friday revealed United's coaching team had made a point of reassuring van Nistelrooy over his position at the club. The United manager reported "no complaints" from van Nistelrooy over the present situation.

"He needs to be patient and he has been," said Ferguson. "Long-term, he is a member of our squad. He has a long contract with us and I am happy with that situation."

If van Nistelrooy was irritated at being left in storage on one of the coldest afternoons of the season, West Brom defender Paul Robinson was mightily relieved to be spared the prospect of keeping the predator quiet.

Robinson already had his hands full trying to stop Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

"The way they twist and turn on the counter-attack is like watching the Red Arrows," admitted the full-back.

"United are a lot different to Chelsea because they play a lot of one touch stuff and it is difficult to get close to them. They have world-class players throughout the squad and in the end, I was really glad van Nistelrooy didn't get on."

West Brom remain just above the safety line, three points ahead of Birmingham and Portsmouth, who took maximum advantage of West Ham's weakened team at Upton Park.

The Albion tannoy announcer suggested it was Hammers reserves as he read the scores out. But there was no other public condemnation of Alan Pardew from inside the Albion camp.

Indeed, Bryan Robson claimed he would have done exactly the same thing had he been in Pardew's position, while Robinson's focus remains purely on what happens at the Hawthorns.

"All I care about is West Brom and keeping us in the Premier League."

Opta Fact: Louis Saha has scored three goals in his last two league starts against West Brom.

Opta Fact: United have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven top-flight away games.