Ruud van Nistelrooy has been cleared of throwing a deliberate elbow during tonight’s 0-0 Champions League draw at the Toyota Arena by Sparta Prague coach Frantisek Straka.
Van Nistelrooy caught Pavel Pergl in the face during the first half of tonight’s encounter and left the full-back with blood streaming from his nose.
Italian referee Massimo de Santis did not see anything wrong with the incident and while UEFA could intervene if they decide there was intent behind the Dutchman’s challenge, Straka thinks it was no more than an unfortunate accident.
“I do not think there was any intent behind it,” said Straka.
“It was one of those duels that happen in a football match. Both players were going full blast to try and win the ball and it was pure coincidence that van Nistelrooy caught our player in the face with his elbow.”
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson also dismissed the incident, preferring instead to concentrate on the rough treatment dished out to the prolific Dutchman, who failed to add to his impressive 31-goal European tally for the Red Devils.
Time and again, van Nistelrooy was felled by challenges from behind, with De Santis’ reaction in particular drawing an angry reaction from the Scot.
“After every challenge, the referee kept saying to the centre-half ’Calm down’,” he said.
“Christ, Ruud must have got whacked about 10 times and nothing happened, yet we have two players – Paul Scholes and Liam Miller – who got yellow cards for two fouls. But I guess that type of thing happens when you are playing away from home in Europe.”
With Lyon triumphant against Fenerbahce in Istanbul, United will be on the verge of a place in the last 16 if they beat Sparta in the Old Trafford return in a fortnight.
Goals in either half from Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy lifted the Netherlands to a 3-1 win over Finland in their European Group One qualifier for the 2006 World Cup here on Wednesday.
Marco van Basten's blundering side had gotten off to a slow start and were put to the test early on after group leaders Finland scored after 14 minutes off a header from Auxerre playmaker Teemu Tainio.
Van Nistelrooy's early-season hernia operation meant he missed Holland's first two World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and the Czech Republic, and he was returning on Wednesday after sitting out a two-match suspension.
But the 28-year-old showed he was back in form helping set up the equaliser which midfielder Wesley Sneijder netted five minutes from half-time from a shot off Phillip Cocu.
A minute later, Van Nistelrooy gave the hosts the lead with a blast from two metres out.
The goal broke the ice for the hosts whose game improved significantly with Van Nistelrooy claiming his second after he swept into the far corner of the net after 63 minutes.
The win makes up for the Dutch throwing away a lead to draw 2-2 with Macedonia at the weekend.
The Finns, who have nine points from five games, were on a run of three straight wins and had overtaken Romania on Saturday to head the group on goal difference, but were without injured Mikael Forssell.
But the Dutch are among the favourites to qualify, as they have two games in hand over Finland, and sitting in third position with seven points from three games.
Van Basten blamed the slow start on the inexperience of their new players.
"I have to admit that the beginning was difficult. Some had positional problems, but our team is young, there are a lot of new players, the important thing is to evolve positively," he said.
"We've bounced back from Saturday's disappointment and counted on a very good Wesley Sneijder and a very convincing return for Ruud van Nistelrooy."
Ruud van Nistelrooy believes Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Rionaldo can fire Manchester United back to the top of English football.
Rooney made a sensational impact on his debut, scoring a hat-trick in the 6-2 defeat of Fenerbahce in the Champions League last week, while fellow 18-year-old Ronaldo has won many admirers since arriving from Portugal last season.
"I really believe that they are the world's best in their age group. It is so impressive if you see their technical skill combined with their physical strength, it's unbelievable," said Van Nistelrooy.
United are nine points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League, but Van Nistelrooy says the Old Trafford club can still mount a strong challenge, especially with defender Rio Ferdinand back from his eight-month suspension.
"We are on our way right now," said Van Nistelrooy, who will sit out the Netherlands' World Cup qualifier against Macedonia on Saturday because of suspension.
"The team is complete and now the coach can do his job. Our possibilities are enormous and we can reach a high level.
"The gap in the league is quite big but it all came through our struggling start with a defeat against Chelsea and several injuries. Since that defeat we didn't lose a match."
Van Nistelrooy, who has scored 18 goals for his country in 38 internationals, said Rooney's performance against Fenerbahce still had him shaking his head.
"The whole country was upside down, and it was not only the three goals but also the way he scored. It really was unbelievable," he said.
"It's hard for Rooney but he received strong support from players who also made their debut for Manchester at a young age like Ryan Giggs."
Ruud van Nistelrooy has delivered a chilling message to wary Premiership defenders - he is about to get even better.
The Netherlands international has already plundered an incredible 114 goals in just 150 first-team appearances for Manchester United since his £18.5million transfer from PSV Eindhoven in 2001.
The striker's latest effort against Fenerbahce on Tuesday night extended his European club record to 31 goals and only the man who held the previous best mark, legendary Scot Denis Law, reached the Red Devils century mark quicker.
Even Sir Alex Ferguson scoffs at the thought van Nistelrooy could improve on what he has already achieved, but the 28-year-old insists that he can, thanks to new Holland coach Marco van Basten.
The Dutchman idolised the brilliant forward as a child and thrilled to the performances that won Holland the European Championships back in 1988.
He holds van Basten in such high esteem that he almost shrivels with embarrassment every time a comparison between the pair is raised and to now be given the chance of working with him is an opportunity to relish.
"I can't wait to meet up with the Dutch squad because I think Marco can bring extra things to my game," van Nistelrooy told the Manchester Evening News.
"I don't think I know everything and don't feel too big to ignore advice, especially when it comes from someone like him.
"When I was a kid, I thought an awful lot of him. He was my idol, now he is going to be my manager. It's weird I suppose but I'm really happy it has happened.
"He has introduced a very attacking style to the team and for a striker, that is fantastic. The aim is to score one more goal than our opponent and that is very refreshing."
Ruud van Nistelrooy has praised new-boy Wayne Rooney for his maturity after his breathtaking debut on Tuesday.
The 18-year-old, signed for £27million, scored an exhilarating hat-trick in Tuesday's 6-2 win over Fenerbahce in the UEFA Champions League.
Van Nistelrooy, United's all-time top scorer in European competition with 31 goals, believes that the former Everton man who shot to prominence in Euro 2004 this summer, will supersede his tally.
The Dutch international, however, was full of praise for his teammate on Wednesday: "I honestly hope he can break my records. He is 18 and he has such a bright future ahead of him.
"I wish him all the best and hope and believe he can break every single record there is for Manchester United.
"Everybody congratulated him after the game on a fantastic performance, which he totally deserved.
"It is all good for United and it is great to have him here because he is quality. He showed amazing character.
"If I were to praise one thing, it was his attitude. He is 18 and he knows all eyes are on him but he goes out and does his own thing. To do that at his young age is fantastic."
RUUD CLEARED OVER ELBOW
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