Van Nistelrooy in rude health as United ease to win

Alex Ferguson is confident Ruud van Nistelrooy will return to the prolific goalscoring ways of his first three seasons at Manchester United following his hat-trick against Royal Antwerp last night.

Although he scored five goals in United’s first two pre-season outings, Van Nistelrooy struggled badly for form on the Red Devils’ recent Far East tour.

There he failed to find the target and became embroiled in two separate spats with opposition players, as well as a major row with Rio Ferdinand.

However, his three-timer in a comfortable 6-1 win over the Belgian Second Division outfit last night confirmed his well being.

Ferguson knows Van Nistelrooy has found his shooting boots at exactly the right time. “Ruud’s overall play in pre-season has been really good,” said Ferguson.

“He got in behind the Antwerp defence two or three times, which was good news. But we all know he is the type of person that goals are the most important thing in his life. When he is scoring, it is hard for him to stop.”

Van Nistelrooy’s well-being further quells talk of a move for Michael Owen.

Ferguson has resisted the temptation to discuss the subject but United officials continue to insist no move for the England striker is imminent, even though his agent Tony Stephens met Old Trafford chief executive David Gill on Tuesday on separate business.

Other than the now-expected abuse directed at Rio Ferdinand from his own supporters, it was a good night all round for United, with Roy Keane enjoying his first 90 minutes back with the senior squad after missing the Asian tour with a hamstring complaint.

“Roy got through the full 90 minutes, which was the most important thing,” said Ferguson. “He didn’t flag at any stage and I thought he coped with it very well.”

Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Darren Fletcher added to Van Nistelrooy’s goal contribution to ensure there were few complaints among a 15,000 crowd.