Dutch manager Dick Advocaat believes the experience of playing in this year's European Championships will make Ruud van Nistelrooy a better footballer.
Van Nistelrooy is set to play a major part in the tournament after his hat-trick against Scotland in the Euro 2004 play-offs booked Holland a place in Portugal this summer.
"Ruud is playing excellent football already," said Advocaat. "It would be difficult for him to score even more goals than he has already but he is a quality player who is determined to play and improve at the highest level. He will do everything he can to do well in Euro 2004 and he will be a dangerous player."
United and American goalkeeper Tim Howard, who will be up against van Nistelrooy in tonight's friendly in Amsterdam, echoed Advocaat's comments saying: "Ruud's one of the best strikers in the world without any doubt. His work-rate is phenomenal and what sets him apart.
"A lot of players have talent but don't have the work ethic to go with it. Ruud has both which is what makes him such a great player," added Howard.
PUBLICITY-SHY Ruud van Nistelrooy is hoping to escape the spotlight when he marries his girlfriend in a quiet country village.
Forget David Beckham's throne and glamorous castle party, for his special day Ruud has opted for a tiny Dutch village where he grew up.
Ruud and his long-time girlfriend Leontien have revealed they are to marry at the end of the season on July 10 at Heiliger Maria Magdalena Church, in Geffen, in the south of Holland.
It follows the completion of Dutch marriage formalities at the nearby village of Heesch, where the Manchester United ace has snapped up a £555,000 farmhouse built in 1948.
The only concession to Ruud's superstar status will be a team of security officers to keep out the fans, reporters and paparazzi and to look after a small party of invited family and friends.
In a rare reference to his private life, Ruud talked about his forthcoming marriage in an interview with his local newspaper, the Brabant Dagblad, about the pros and cons of being famous.
He said: "That our wedding will be in Heesch and Geffen seems logical to me. We have taken into account that there will be a lot of people who want to come to see it. That's why a security team will be there to make sure our day can go as well as planned.
"I want to make sure that the people who are sitting in the church are the people who we invited, and when our guests come out of the church that they won't get pushed aside by strangers."
The striker talked about how he has had to cope with being the most identifiable figure at United sinceBeckham went, and told a series of anecdotes to illustrate them.
A gang of 10 drunken lads bumped into Ruud and three pals after they came out of a Manchester restaurant. One of them slapped Ruud's friend across the face and screamed abuse until they recognised the Dutchman and apologised.
Back home in Holland, a roller-blader crashed outside the player's driveway. He asked for an autograph and because he did not have any paper he lifted up his shirt and offered his belly to sign.
Manchester United have overcome the sending-off of England defender Gary Neville to beat neighbours Manchester City 4-2 in an action-packed FA Cup fifth-round match.
Two goals by Ruud Van Nistelrooy and one each for Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo put United, who played with 10 men for nearly an hour, into the quarter-finals for the first time since 1999.
United completely dominated the first half and went ahead after 34 minutes when midfielder Scholes tapped the ball in from close range after a good move involving Roy Keane, van Nistelrooy and Ryan Giggs.
But shortly afterwards the champions were reduced to 10 men, Neville appearing to head-butt City's Steve McManaman after the United defender had fallen over in the penalty area.
The incident prompted angry exchanges involving players from both sides before referee Jeff Winter dismissed Neville.
City, who recovered from 3-0 down at halftime with 10 men to beat Tottenham Hotspur in the last round, scented a rare victory over their local rivals but United clinically killed them off through Van Nistelrooy twice and Ronaldo.
Defender Michael Tarnat and striker Robbie Fowler scored late consolation goals for City.
Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz said Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy or Arsenal's Thierry Henry would be his choice if the Spanish giants add another star player to their glittering line-up this summer.
"If I had to pick, my preferences would be Van Nistelrooy and Henry, who have both reached maturity. The Frenchman is now at the peak of his strengths and abilities, both in terms of taking chances and when he releases the ball," Queiroz said in an interview with leading sports daily Marca, published on Tuesday.
Both strikers appear to have committed their futures to their current clubs.
Van Nistelrooy, who Queiroz knows well after spending the 2002-2003 season as United's assistant coach, signed a new four-year deal to keep him at Old Trafford until June 2008. Meanwhile, Henry said nearly two weeks ago he had no intention of leaving Arsenal.
Queiroz also said the prospect of another rumored target, AS Roma's attacking midfielder Francesco Totti, joining the Spanish powerhouse was less attractive.
"At present, I don't think Totti is what Madrid most need," the Portuguese coach said.
Manchester United ace Ruud van Nistelrooy has hailed Everton super-kid Wayne Rooney after Saturday's 4-3 win at Goodison Park.
He admitted: "We just couldn't handle Rooney. He was getting the ball from everywhere and we couldn't stop him.
"We knew they would come at us in the second half and would get the ball up to Duncan Ferguson as much as they could, but it was Rooney who made the difference.
"It was thanks to him Everton dominated the second half and we didn't expect that.
"They turned it around and showed a lot of character to bring it back to 3-3 and it was Rooney who made the difference."
England boss Sven Goran Eriksson was at the game and added, "Wayne Rooney is maybe the biggest talent in this country.
"Rooney is only 18 so if he takes half a step backwards sometimes I think it is very normal. He is something for now and the future."
ADVOCAAT: RUUD IS TOPS
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