Manchester United first looked likely to secure Ruud van Nistelrooy's signature in the April of 2000, but medical tests showed a weakness in his right knee, sustained in a friendly against Silkeborg that same month.
United had wanted to open his knee up but Ruud refused, knowing that would put him out of Euro 2000, and he desperately wanted to perform in front of the Dutch fans. In hindsight he agreed that he should have gone ahead with the operation. Two days later, back in Eindhoven, Ruud collapsed in agony at PSV's training ground having ruptured the cruciate ligament in the same knee.
With his knee clamped in a support brace in a clinic in Vail, Colorado, Ruud was forced to watch Euro 2000 on satellite television. He touched the hearts of the Dutch nation by cheering Holland's goals like an eight year old fan, waving his crutches wildly in the air.
He received many words of encouragement from players such as Ronaldo, a former PSV player, and Marc Overmars. Conversations with Sir Alex Ferguson also inspired Ruud, with tales of the full recoveries made by Roy Keane and Lothar Matthaus from the same injury.
The contact between Sir Alex and van Nistelrooy was a constant source of strength in the player's rehabilitation. Working with a personal trainer, Ruud set out on his remarkable road to recovery. Hours were spent in the swimming pool building up his strength, then hours were spent on the training ground working on his skill and fitness, all the time improving his knee.
By March 2001, Ruud was able to complete his comeback with PSV, and continued to score goals, netting twice on his return to the First Team. Finally, on 23 April 2001, after turning down a late offer from Real Madrid, Ruud was able to complete his dream move to Manchester United, for a British record transfer fee of £19 million.
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