As a Man United fan, I felt the urge of sharing this with you guys:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=272368&cc=5739
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Ruud is 'complete striker' - Leo
Ruud van Nistelrooy is capable of becoming a better striker than legendary Dutch international Marco van Basten, acording to Club America coach Leo Beenhakker.
Currently in his second stint at the Mexico City club, Beenhakker is best known for his time in charge of the Dutch national side, Ajax and Real Madrid.
And having worked with legendary strikers such as van Basten and Hugo Sanchez, Beenhakker is well placed to assess the merits of fellow Dutchman van Nistelrooy, who added the opener in United's 3-1 win at the LA Coliseum yesterday to the brilliant goal he scored in the first game of his club's four-match US tour against Celtic in Seattle last Tuesday.
'Ruud and Marco are two different players from two different eras so it is difficult to compare,' said Beenhakker.
'But you have to remember the game is getting harder every year because there is less space and less time, so the standards of forward play have to improve as well.
'Van Basten was a brilliant player but you have to look at Ruud now and say he is the complete striker, for me the best in the world.
'He is doing a phenomenally difficult job and making it look easy. He seems to get better every week and every player in the world recognises his talent.'
With 80 goals in his first two seasons at the club, it is understandable why Sir Alex Ferguson shares Beenhakker's view.
United chief executive Peter Kenyon admitted yesterday that van Nistelrooy was a priceless asset, who could not be bought even for the £70million cash-rich Chelsea apparently have at their disposal to purchase a new striker.
By common consent, van Nistelrooy is actually improving, developing his link play and also adding a previously unseen turn of pace to his obvious strength and lethal finishing.
Considering he spent almost 12 months out of the game recovering from cruciate ligament surgery before his £18.5million switch from Eindhoven was confirmed, Beenhakker believes van Nistelrooy's form is nothing short of miraculous.
'When you consider the injury as well, his contribution to Manchester United has been amazing,' said Beenhakker.
'There are very few Dutch strikers who could be regarded as an unqualified success in England but he is one beyond doubt.
'I hadn't seen him for a few months before United played Celtic last week but the goal he got that night was unbelievable.
'He had a guy at his back and there appeared to be nothing on. But with one small movement, he created the smallest bit of space and that was it. It was almost too quick to see.
'And the goal he scored last night was so typical. Mentally he is up there with the very best. His mind is just so quick to spot an opportunity.
'I don't know the entire history of Manchester United but I have heard Sir Alex has said he could be the best striker the club has ever had. That statement alone tells you everything.'
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I like it when they say he's improving all the time. Seeing him getting better and better on TV is a blessing for Man United. We all remember that superb goal he scored at OT, skipping past 3-4 defenders before placing it coolly to the left of the keeper. His pace his mind-blowing.
Van Nistelrooy, possibly better than Ronaldo. People might say that after a few years.
If Zidane is the midfielder of this era, Ruud would be the striker.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=272368&cc=5739
===========================================
Ruud is 'complete striker' - Leo
Ruud van Nistelrooy is capable of becoming a better striker than legendary Dutch international Marco van Basten, acording to Club America coach Leo Beenhakker.
Currently in his second stint at the Mexico City club, Beenhakker is best known for his time in charge of the Dutch national side, Ajax and Real Madrid.
And having worked with legendary strikers such as van Basten and Hugo Sanchez, Beenhakker is well placed to assess the merits of fellow Dutchman van Nistelrooy, who added the opener in United's 3-1 win at the LA Coliseum yesterday to the brilliant goal he scored in the first game of his club's four-match US tour against Celtic in Seattle last Tuesday.
'Ruud and Marco are two different players from two different eras so it is difficult to compare,' said Beenhakker.
'But you have to remember the game is getting harder every year because there is less space and less time, so the standards of forward play have to improve as well.
'Van Basten was a brilliant player but you have to look at Ruud now and say he is the complete striker, for me the best in the world.
'He is doing a phenomenally difficult job and making it look easy. He seems to get better every week and every player in the world recognises his talent.'
With 80 goals in his first two seasons at the club, it is understandable why Sir Alex Ferguson shares Beenhakker's view.
United chief executive Peter Kenyon admitted yesterday that van Nistelrooy was a priceless asset, who could not be bought even for the £70million cash-rich Chelsea apparently have at their disposal to purchase a new striker.
By common consent, van Nistelrooy is actually improving, developing his link play and also adding a previously unseen turn of pace to his obvious strength and lethal finishing.
Considering he spent almost 12 months out of the game recovering from cruciate ligament surgery before his £18.5million switch from Eindhoven was confirmed, Beenhakker believes van Nistelrooy's form is nothing short of miraculous.
'When you consider the injury as well, his contribution to Manchester United has been amazing,' said Beenhakker.
'There are very few Dutch strikers who could be regarded as an unqualified success in England but he is one beyond doubt.
'I hadn't seen him for a few months before United played Celtic last week but the goal he got that night was unbelievable.
'He had a guy at his back and there appeared to be nothing on. But with one small movement, he created the smallest bit of space and that was it. It was almost too quick to see.
'And the goal he scored last night was so typical. Mentally he is up there with the very best. His mind is just so quick to spot an opportunity.
'I don't know the entire history of Manchester United but I have heard Sir Alex has said he could be the best striker the club has ever had. That statement alone tells you everything.'
===========================================
I like it when they say he's improving all the time. Seeing him getting better and better on TV is a blessing for Man United. We all remember that superb goal he scored at OT, skipping past 3-4 defenders before placing it coolly to the left of the keeper. His pace his mind-blowing.
Van Nistelrooy, possibly better than Ronaldo. People might say that after a few years.
If Zidane is the midfielder of this era, Ruud would be the striker.
