Why Did Ruud Leave United? The Inside Story

Ruud van Nistelrooy left Manchester United in the summer of 2006 after a disagreement with manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

It’s important to understand that while this is often presented as a “fall-out,” it was more complex than a simple argument. It was a culmination of factors. There were reports of a strained relationship between the two, with van Nistelrooy reportedly feeling frustrated with his role in the team and Ferguson’s tactical decisions. There was also a sense that van Nistelrooy was perhaps past his peak and that Ferguson was ready to move on.

The final straw came during a pre-season training session in 2006. Van Nistelrooy, who had struggled with injuries in the previous season, was reportedly not performing well in training and was criticized by Ferguson. This sparked a heated exchange, and van Nistelrooy was subsequently left out of the team’s pre-season tour. While the exact details of the exchange remain private, it seems that the two men simply couldn’t see eye-to-eye anymore.

This led to a transfer request from van Nistelrooy, and he eventually joined Real Madrid for a fee of £12 million. Looking back, it seems both the player and the manager were ready for a change, and the move ultimately worked out well for both parties. Van Nistelrooy continued his successful career at Real Madrid, while Manchester United went on to win the Premier League title in the 2006-2007 season. The move was a watershed moment for both parties, highlighting the complex dynamics within a football team and the sometimes difficult decisions that coaches and players need to make.