Ruud blow for Ferguson after five-goal rout
Ferguson had no sooner emerged from the Manchester United dressing room jubilant at his team’s biggest win of their inconsistent Premiership season than he was delivering the sobering news about his star striker.
Ferguson revealed the scan on a calf problem that has troubled van Nistelrooy for the best part of two months has now worked its way into his Achilles, a problem that requires a minimum of a month’s rest and probably longer.
Given the prolific striker has now missed United’s last six games, the chances of him being available for the February 1 showdown with Arsenal, and his country’s friendly encounter with England eight days later are slim.
Of far more importance to Ferguson is to ensure the man who has scored 37 goals in 38 European appearances for his club is fit to face AC Milan in the Champions League knockout phase on February 23.
Yet even that will be blown apart if the rehabilitation required does not work. Then, the only option will be an operation, the mere thought of which makes Ferguson shudder.
“It is too early to talk about an operation,” said the Scot. “I don’t even want to think that way. It is a concern and it is the type of injury you have to be very careful with.
“We will keep him out for four to six weeks and hopefully that mends it. He is the best striker in the business and we want him back.”
The one sliver of positive news Ferguson can take out of the situation is that if the injury had occurred at virtually any other period in van Nistelrooy’s time at the club, United would have been kissing goodbye to any chance of silverware.
Van Nistelrooy has been virtually injury-free in the three years since his move from PSV Eindhoven with 122 goals in 159 appearances for the Red Devils. At least now though, following the acquisition of Wayne Rooney, Alan Smith and Louis Saha, Ferguson does have cover should the worst case scenario be realised.
Ferguson said Saha will be back in “three weeks” from his current knee problem and while Rooney is still searching for his best form, Smith has been a revelation since his summer transfer from Leeds and netted for the ninth time this season as United strode to victory over a plucky Palace outfit.
The Scot also knows that Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs have rediscovered top form. Scholes took his tally to six in as many games with his well-taken brace while Giggs’ direct running caused mayhem in the Palace defence.
The Welshman is yet to agree to an extension to his current contract which runs out in 18 months’ time, holding out for a two-year deal.
John O’Shea wrapped up United’s win with an injury-time fifth, although the victory was not entirely without worry. Palace twice levelled, through Danny Granville and Joonas Kolkka, the second, 50 seconds after the restart, sparking a three-goal burst in just four minutes.
When the carnage was over, Emmerson Boyce had headed into his own net and Scholes had struck for a second time to dump Palace back into the bottom three.
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