The most clinical Premier League penalty box striker of his generation — 150 goals in 219 United appearances.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was born in Oss, Netherlands in 1976. PSV developed him before a cruciate ligament injury delayed his Manchester United move by a year. United paid £19 million in 2001. His five United seasons produced 150 goals in 219 appearances — 95 in the Premier League. He won the Premier League in 2003 and scored 44 Champions League goals, winning the competition's Golden Boot three consecutive seasons. He scored in 10 consecutive Champions League games — a record. His positional instinct — always in the right place to receive and finish — and his ruthless efficiency in the penalty box made him the most dangerous pure goal-scorer in the Premier League during his peak. He scored 25 league goals in 2002-03. He was the definitive penalty box striker. He became manager of PSV and later Manchester United's assistant coach under Erik ten Hag, briefly serving as interim manager in 2024.
Champions League finalist (2003)
He scored in 8 consecutive Champions League matches — a competition record that stood for years.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- Champions League finalist (2003)
- Premier League (2003)
- FA Cup (2004)
- La Liga 2x
- Champions League Golden Boot 3x