Van Nistelrooy happy to stay with United
Ferguson's 17-year Old Trafford reign continues to be questioned in light of his legal fight with John Magnier over record-breaking racehorse Rock of Gibraltar even though he signed a one-year rolling extension to his current contract only 24 hours ago. But if Magnier needed to know how crucial Ferguson is to United, he should listen to van Nistelrooy, whose £70,000-a-week deal (€102,400) will net him over £17m (€24m).
"Sir Alex is a very important factor in this," he told MUTV.
"I spoke to him about it, about the future of the club and about his plans for the team. I know that with his managerial qualities there are going to be some great years to come here and I want to be part of that."
In two-and-a-half years since making a goal scoring debut against Liverpool in the Community Shield following his £18.5m (€27m) move from PSV Eindhoven in 2001, van Nistelrooy has established himself as one of the most feared frontmen in Europe. He smashed the Champions League record for goals in a season last term, when his 44-goal seasonal tally fell just two short of Denis Law's club record.
And he approaches Saturday's televised encounter with Southampton just two away from becoming the second quickest United player Law is the fastest since the Second World War to reach a century of goals for the club.
If he became available on the open market, van Nistelrooy could name his price and his club. But once Ferguson had committed his future, there was never any question of him leaving. The 27-year-old will never forget the debt he owes the Scot for staying loyal to him when his original United move collapsed after a failed medical. And his goal scoring feats since have ensured Ferguson's patience and devotion was well rewarded.
"We are delighted to get Ruud's signature on a new contract," said the United boss. "It shows the ambition of the club to keep the best."
"Ruud has broken every record since he has been here. His improvement and continual commitment to the club is an asset. Ruud has proved to be a fantastic signing and his contract extension is great news for the club and the fans."
Ferguson also reported good news on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Norwegian international has not played for United since undergoing an operation in September and had looked set to miss the entire season. But the 30-year-old has been in training for the last fortnight and should play for United's reserves against Aston Villa on February 5.
"Ole is doing fine," Ferguson said yesterday. "But I don't want to build him up for playing again after so long out and then find the pitch is too hard or risk his return. He will get a game when we play Aston Villa at home. He will definitely be okay by then."
Meanwhile the club's chief executive David Gill announced on Monday that finance director Nick Humby would lead the in-house investigation, seen as a concession to major shareholders John Magnier and JP McManus, who had demanded an independent audit to establish why the club were paying vast sums to agents involved in the transfers.
"There has been a lot of media speculation around the club recently, but it is important to note that we will work closely with our key shareholders on addressing some of the issues," Gill admitted.
Gill also insisted that the new rolling contract deal with the manager had been thrashed out purely between Ferguson and the club and was in line with the contracts of every other senior employee.
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