Busy, busy day in the EPL. Ruud finally finds a home at Real and the Spurs let go of Michael Carrick as he heads to the Red Devils. Sir Alex finally lands a big one. Carrick’s transfer is set to be confirmed by the middle of next week after United agreed to pay around £15m for the midfielder.
Ruud played for Man U from 2001 to 2006 and appeared in 219 games scoring a phenomenal 150 goals, third in the all time Man U list. He had a sensational first year scoring 23 goals in 32 games.
RVN’s EPL highlights
* Set a Premier League record in January 2002 by scoring in eight successive games, equalling United’s club record for goals in consecutive league matches set by Billy Whelan nearly five decades previously. In March 2002, he became the first United player since Brian McClair in 1988 to top 20 league goals and 30 in all competitions in one season
* Premier League’s leading scorer with 25 goals and 44 in all competitions when United won the championship in 2003, he has scored 20 or more in four of his five seasons at Old Trafford. Signed a new contract with United in January 2004 to keep him at the club until 2008
* United’s leading scorer in Europe, having overtaken Denis Law’s long-standing club record of 30 goals in September 2004, he is fourth in the all-time list in the European Cup with 47
Ruud’s last season was not his best squabbling over playing time with Fergie and then having a very public falling out with Cristiano Ronaldo.