Old Trafford acclaims Van Nistelrooy

A hat-trick by Ruud van Nistelrooy – including a spectacular solo effort – put Manchester United on top of the Barclaycard Premiership for the first time this season following their 3-0 win over Fulham at Old Trafford.

The biggest attendance in Premier League history rose to acclaim Ruud van Nistelrooy as Manchester United strode to the summit for the first time this season.

In front of 67,706 largely adoring fans, the prolific Dutchman netted his second hat-trick of another goal-saturated campaign, which included a solo effort the like of which even Old Trafford’s Theatre of Dreams has rarely been privileged to witness.