Ferguson sees bright future for his Red Devils

ALEX FERGUSON declared Ruud van Nistelrooy was back to his very best as he hailed Manchester United’s young line-up as a vision of the future after rediscovering their attacking zest at Fulham.

Van Nistelrooy’s agent, Rodger Linse, may be angling for a money- spinning move to Real Madrid next summer, reportedly claiming that “it’s Ruud’s wish to play in Spain.”

However, Ferguson believes the Dutchman, just like Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kieran Richardson, can form the foundations of United’s renewed success for years to come.

Van Nistelrooy took his tally for the season to nine goals with two strikes in a thrilling game at Craven Cottage, with Rooney and Park Ji-Sung also excelling as United reverted to their traditional 4-4-2 formation.

That is already just seven fewer than the Dutchman managed during the whole of last season, when he was troubled by injury problems, and Ferguson is delighted by his recovery.

He declared: “Ruud is 100% fit now, he’s looking powerful and strong, he’s leading the line fantastically well and he’s a real centre-forward.”

Like his team-mates, Van Nistelrooy looked far more comfortable with Rooney playing in behind him and two wingers either side, even if Ferguson was not about to admit to having changed his tactics due to crowd pressure last weekend at Old Trafford, calling it 4-4-1-1.

While Rooney relished the extra space, what was beyond dispute was that United were back to their attacking best after throwing off the shackles of defensive caution.

“Anyone coming to watch us will see exciting players like that and we had a go,” Ferguson said.

“The great thing I’ve enjoyed recently is young players like Phil Bardsley and Kieran Richardson being able to enjoy themselves and express themselves. It’s a pleasure to watch that as our club was built on that. What you saw from our team you know you’re going to see in four years. You saw the makings of a great team.”

Ferguson can only hope Van Nistelrooy remains a central part of that future, with the Dutchman keeping his cool to slot home their penalty equaliser after the excellent Park had been brought down.

Fulham had earlier seized the lead when Collins John bustled past Rio Ferdinand, whose uncertain form should be as much concern to Sven-Goran Eriksson as Ferguson, and hit a deflected shot past Edwin van der Sar.

Park set up Rooney to put United ahead before Fulham were gifted an equaliser of their own when Ferdinand, John O’Shea and Van der Sar failed to stop Claus Jensen’s looping free-kick from sneaking inside the far post.

However, in what Ferguson joked was a “game of one half”, United were ahead once again just before the interval, when a dubious offside decision allowed Van Nistelrooy to convert Park’s inviting cross.

The United boss must be concerned at his side’s frailties at the back, describing the first-half defending as “pretty bad” and criticised his team for being “far too open” for Fulham’s second goal.

As both sides made a mockery of the supposed death of exciting football in the Premiership, he delighted in Park’s effervescent display in setting up all three goals. “His awareness of space and movement is terrific. He was a real thorn in their side in the first half and the penetration that he gave us was excellent,” he said.

“He’s still new to the English game, which is even more of a test, so he’s only going to get better.”

Fulham also played their part in a memorable first half against a vulnerable United defence but have still been left with just five points from eight games despite Chris Coleman’s belief they have improved from last season.