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.

"Nicky was not really close to playing tonight," said Ferguson. "It was always my intention to play Paul Scholes in the centre of midfield. It was important Paul got a full game in and we can look at the games that lie ahead later," he said.

As for his opinions on Butt's dilemma. "I don't know what you are talking about," he said.

Ferguson was more forthcoming about van Nistelrooy, who put United in front during first-half stoppage time when he nodded home a close-range header from Giggs' cross.

It was his 28th goal in 30 European games for the Old Trafford outfit, an incredible ratio which would be enough to attract the attention of Real Madrid on its own.

Van Nistelrooy has added a creativity to his game as well. The strength and vision he showed to shrug off three challenges, then send Giggs through with a perfectly-timed pass for the second home goal just before the hour mark was worldclass.

Ferguson may dispute it, but the striker's value to the current United side is beyond measure.

"Ruud has a phenomenal record but he is a phenomenal player," said the Old Trafford boss.

"I have seen the replay of his goal. It wasn't the easiest chance in the world but he completely wrong-footed the goalkeeper. Ruud has improved his all-round game but that had come with the time he has spent with us.

"You are seeing a more complete player than last year. He is more rounded now, which is something that started to come through at the back end of last season.

"He is getting better all the time and the great thing is he has got years ahead of him."

The ease of victory gave Ferguson the chance to excuse his goalscorers the last half hour, ensuring they are further refreshed for Saturday's Manchester derby.

Roy Keane and goalkeeper Tim Howard will also be back, although their absence was hardly missed as United avenged their defeat in Germany earlier in the competition.

"The most important thing against Stuttgart is to try and get in front because it forces them to change their style," said Ferguson.

"Once we got the goal we made it very difficult for them," he said.

While United could face a last 16 meeting with Sparta Prague, Porto or Celta Vigo out of last night's qualifiers, Chelsea may lie in wait for Stuttgart.

Coach Felix Magath was disappointed by his team's defeat but said they were beaten by a better side.

"We conceded a goal at a bad time and I sensed at half-time the players' heads had dropped," he said.

"We played quite well but the big differences is that we don't have people like Giggs and Van Nistelrooy who can score the goals."

MAN UTD: Carroll, Gary Neville, Ferdinand, Silvestre, O'Shea, Fletcher, Phil Neville, Scholes (Djemba-Djemba 79), Fortune, van Nistelrooy (Forlan 71), Giggs (Bellion 70).

VFB STUTTGART: Hildebrand, Hinkel, Meira, Wenzel, Lahm, Soldo, Vranjes (Tiffert 45), Heldt, Hleb (Centurion 76), Kuranyi, Szabics (Cacau 45).

Referee: Eric Poulat (France).