Van the man in great shape

Ruud van Nistelrooy has sent a chilling message to anxious Premiership defenders - he is in better shape than he was 12 months ago.

The Dutch striker bagged 36 goals during his first season with the Old Trafford giants and, along with skipper Roy Keane, was one of only two exceptions to manager Alex Ferguson’s claim that his team vastly under-performed last term.

Just a year after suffering the horrific cruciate knee ligament injury which ruled him out of an entire campaign, Van Nistelrooy proved he was among the very elite of top flight strikers and won many admirers for the way he gamely continued to battle for every chance even though at times he was sadly lacking in support.

Ferguson has already confirmed he intends to strengthen his striking options, leading to an immediate link with World Cup golden boot winner Ronaldo, whose agent has confirmed he intends to seek a future away from Inter Milan.

Suggestions that the Brazilian could be on his way to Manchester were laughed off by Ferguson last night, although the Scot seemed pretty well informed on the striker’s movements.

But even if one of the world’s biggest names did join the world’s richest club, it is unlikely Van Nistelrooy would be the man to make way such was the impact of that first season.

The former PSV Eindhoven man overcame a shin problem to feature on familiar territory in the Amsterdam tournament defeat by Ajax last night, lasting over an hour before admitting some soreness.

However, despite that niggling problem, the 26-year-old front man claims he is feeling fit and fresh after a summer spent watching, rather than playing in the World Cup because of Holland’s surprise failure to qualify.

‘‘I feel much sharper and fitter than I did at this stage last year,’’ he said.

‘‘My build-up to the new season has been good and I am confident about what I can achieve.

‘‘The Premiership is very demanding, both physically and mentally, it has been a big advantage to have the summer off. It gave me eight weeks complete rest and then four weeks training.

‘‘The combination has left me feeling very positive.’’

It is said that the second season in any competition is always hard. The opposition are aware of a player’s strengths and adjust their plans accordingly.

Knowing what a player can do and actually stopping him though are two different things.

Van Nistelrooy’s work ethic is phenomenal and his ratio of goals per chance is as high as any of his rivals.

His only clear opportunity last night came during the opening period when Marten Stekelenburg raced from his goal to block the Dutchman’s close range effort after a typical bustling burst into the penalty area.

After hitting the target so many times last season, Van Nistelrooy will have to be into his stride pretty quickly if he is to equal that effort.

But the weight of expectation does not bother him. His biggest critic is himself.

‘‘I know a lot is expected of me this season but there is nothing bigger or greater than the pressure I put on myself,’’ he said.

‘‘The pressure I create is more than anyone else can put on me because my own expectations are so high.

‘‘I just need a few more games to get into the rhythm and we need more tough matches like last night’s.’’

Last night’s defeat, plus Barcelona’s 4-2 win over Parma in the opening game of the competition, mean that United have little chance of becoming the first English team to win the tournament in its four-year history.

However, Sunday’s encounter with the Italians should see some of the rustiness come out of their play, although they will be without goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, who strained a thigh muscle late in last night’s encounter.

Ferguson is hopeful Barthez will be fit for the trip to Denmark to face Aarhus on Tuesday, after which United return to England for an Old Trafford meeting with Boca Juniors in seven days.

Then the real work starts with a Champions League qualifying trip to either Hungary or Croatia before the opening game of their Premiership campaign against newly-promoted West Brom on August 17.

After failing to win a trophy last term, the pressure is on, not least from United’s fiercely competitive manager.

Van Nistelrooy believes there is nothing to worry about.

‘‘We want to improve on last night but although it was disappointing to lose there were some good things to take out of it,’’ he said.

‘‘We have a few more games coming up now but once we have played Boca Juniors we will be ready.

‘‘There is great talent in this team. Everything is in place for us to be successful. The main goal is to prove it.’’