Ruud promises United revival

RUUD van Nistelrooy has vowed to hoist Manchester United from their pit of despair back to the pinnacle of the English game, but ominously warned it’s going to take considerable time.

Three days after Roy Keane launched a scathing attack on the current Red Devils, so vicious it was deemed totally unsuitable for transmission on MUTV, Van Nistelrooy in the week he wore the captain's armband for the first time offered his own, more measured assessment.

"When I came to Manchester United four-and-a-half years ago, we were unbeatable," he said. "I remember games when I had four or five opportunities, constant service and we attacked. It was great and I enjoyed it. We all want those days to come back. The question is how do we do it?