Ferguson set to welcome Ruud back into the fold

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson has confirmed he expects to welcome Ruud van Nistelrooy back for pre-season training on July 24.

The striker’s Old Trafford future is open to doubt after his public bust-up with Ferguson at the end of last season, which resulted in the 29-year-old being booted out of the team hotel by Ferguson prior to the final Premiership game of the campaign against Charlton and being told he was not welcome at Old Trafford for Roy Keane’s testimonial the following week.

Bayern Munich have already expressed an interest in Van Nistelrooy — along with Newcastle and Tottenham — whose World Cup also ended on a low note when he was axed by Dutch coach Marco van Basten from the Holland side defeated in acrimonious circumstances by Portugal in the first knockout round.