Manchester United

Ruud van Nistelrooy "grateful" to Sir Alex Ferguson

By Liam Power, Reporter | 23 November 2012

Ruud van Nistelrooy insists that he owes a lot to Sir Alex Ferguson after helping unveil a statue of his former boss outside Old Trafford today.

Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has hailed Sir Alex Ferguson as a master of man management and declared that he remains grateful to the Scot for bringing him to England.

Van Nistelrooy was back at Old Trafford today to help unveil a statue of the 70-year-old outside the stadium.

The Dutch poacher has insisted that he bears no grudges against Ferguson over his exit from the club in 2006.

He said at the unveiling: "It's great to be back, especially as it is to pay respect to the manager, who deserves all the credit for today. He's the reason we are here.

"I am grateful for five great years here and I want to pay my respects. I'm very grateful for the chances Sir Alex gave me. He's able to get the best out of people. He did that with me as well. Not just on the pitch but off it he gave me a lot, which I am very grateful for.

"Of course, we had our things with the way it ended at the club. But overall I look back on a great time here with a lot of respect for him."

Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in 219 appearances for United after signing for the Red Devils in 2001.