Trouble in Camp? Ruud Slams Ronaldo

Trouble?
By Chris O'Brien
May 25 2004

United forward Ruud Van Nistelrooy has slammed team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, despite the Portuguese teenager being praised by journalists, ex-professionals and senior players. The critical words from the Dutch man look set to launch more speculation of a riff at the Old Trafford camp.

Manchester United forward Ruud Van Nistelrooy has stunned United fans by slamming team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo. The teenager has enjoyed an incredible first season at Old Trafford, and is currently heading for a landslide victory in the ManUtdWeb player of the year poll, but Van Nistelrooy feels he is some way from being the perfect player.

Van Nistelrooy was awarded the man of the match award during United's 3-0 F.A Cup final triumph over Millwall on Saturday as he netted a brace. However, many journalists and supporters feel the award should have been awarded to the lively Ronaldo, who was a potent threat to the Lions down the right flank and opened the scoring minutes before the half-time interval

Ronaldo dazzled the Old Trafford terraces with a superb debut against Bolton Wanderers back in August, but his game was clearly some way from the finished article with his skilful approach not mixed up with other techniques enough. However, the United coaches have helped Ronaldo dramatically improve his game, and plaudits are now hailing the Portuguese international, capped for the first time earlier in the season, as one of the Premierships' best players. Nevertheless, Van Nistelrooy has criticized Ronaldo's consistency, and feels he is spending too much time on his skills rather than passing and crossing abilities.

"Cristiano is a really big talent. I see that every day in training. But in the game he's not effective." said the Dutch striker

"He is getting better - but there is too much show in his playing. He wants to play nice football but you can't always play that way.

And speaking to The Sun, van Nistelrooy went on to criticise Ronaldo's crossing, saying: "Often his crosses come too late for me because I'm marked by then - but we are working hard on that."

The words from the Manchester United forward are likely to spark further rumours that their could be a riff in the Old Trafford camp between the Dutchman and other staff at the club. Press reports suggest that the 27-year-old will leave England for Real Madrid over the Summer, and with Sir Alex Ferguson supposedly set to clinch a deal to bring Leeds United's Alan Smith to Lancashire, the media will undoubtedly claim Van Nistelrooy's words are a parting shot before he moves on to pastures new.