Ruud urges Red Devils to sign Kluivert

Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has once again urged his club to sign his fellow Holland international Patrick Kluivert from Barcelona.

The Barclaycard Premiership’s leading goalscorer believes the pairing would be a match for anyone as the Red Devils aim to repeat their 1999 Champions League triumph next season.

Van Nistelrooy told The Sun: “We could be the best scoring partnership in the world.

“We love working together and I would love it even more if we could practise together every day and play together at club level. We will be a fantastic partnership.”

Kluivert’s future at the Nou Camp is uncertain as the club enters a period of transition, with a presidential election looming.

Van Nistelrooy added: “Sometimes when Patrick and I play together it is just ‘there’ between us and that is the time you feel how special football can be for fans and players.

“I cherish those times when we just click in the middle of a game or a training session with Holland.”

Meanwhile, another of van Nistelrooy’s international team-mates Roy Makaay has indicated his desire to move to Old Trafford after learning his current club Deportivo La Coruna have no plans to offer him an improved deal.

Makaay, who scored 40 goals in all competitions last season, told the Daily Mirror: “Two years ago I offered them (Depor) the chance to improve my deal and I would give them a very long contract extension because I liked it here so much.

“But there has been no response to my offer so that told me I wasn’t valued.

“I know that Barcelona and Bayern Munich are interested but my preferred move would be to Manchester United.”