Soccer: Ferguson hails Ruud show

Man Utd 2 Stuttgart 0

Van Nistelrooy scored the first equalling Denis Law's club best mark of 28 European strikes then brilliantly set-up Ryan Giggs for the second as United clinched top spot in group E and avoided the possibility of meeting holders AC Milan or favourites Real Madrid in the first Champions League knockout stage.

Butt watched it all from the bench, his frustration no doubt increasing after his admission that he is contemplating life away from United after a decade at his only professional club.