Ferguson Rude to RUUD

Ruud van Nistelrooy did not walk out on Manchester United last weekend he was booted out by Sir Alex Ferguson, it was reported.

The 29-year-old, scorer of 150 goals in 200 starts for United since joining in a 19-million-pound transfer from PSV Eindhoven five years ago, left Old Trafford before United's 4-0 victory over Charlton on Sunday after discovering he'd been left out of the team and his place taken by teenager Giuseppe Rossi.

Initial reports of van Nistelrooy's walk out appeared to indicate that the Dutch international had made the decision himself.

However, Tuesday's Manchester Evening News said that the training ground rows last week between manager Ferguson and van Nistelrooy were so serious that the United boss ordered the striker to go home.

This seems to be a pattern that emerges when Sir Alex Ferguson wants to dispense his star players as seen with the departure of Beckham, Roy Keane and now the feud with Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Certainly there would be two sides to any story. But the tactics that Ferguson uses to fire his star players who have done so much for Manchester United, leaves a bitter taste of farewell.