Arsenal are Wednesday's visitors, they reckon they've won the League already do you agree? They haven't got the trophy yet have they? It ain't over 'til it's over. Until they've got the trophy we won't give up. We'll try to beat them and take it to the last game, and why not? Normally you'd expect them to win the League from this position, but it's not over yet.
Are they in for a fright at Old Trafford, then? I don't know, it's up to us now. We have to focus on ourselves and on our performance to take it to the last game and give ourselves a chance.
Is it just consistency that has been the difference between them and us this season? It was the first part of the season that's made the gap. But there's no point looking back yet, before it's been won or lost.
They've only conceded 33 goals in the League this season is their defence one of the toughest you've come up against? They've got a good defence. They're a team who play compactly, close together. That's what they do well. But every game is different. We're able to score against any team.
Are there any similarities between your style of play and Thierry Henry's the two of you are a lot of people's dream strike partnership? I think Thierry has had a wonderful year, with the number of goals he's scored and the threat he is to every defence with his speed and the way he can beat people. He's a great striker from my point of view.
You beat him to the PFA Players' Player of the Year, though. You seemed delighted to be honoured by your fellow players For me, that was the biggest honour of my career so far. To be honoured by my fellow professionals was fantastic.
Are you friendly with Dennis Bergkamp through Holland? Yes, I know him through Holland and I've played with him a few times. Dennis is a "one in a million" player, we call him in Holland. Only every twenty years is there a player like Bergkamp. He's an amazing talent, with skill and vision and awareness, everything that makes people admire him. He's the best player Holland have had since van Basten.
A few people compare you to Marco van Basten is that the nicest thing anyone can say about a Dutch striker? Comparing anyone with van Basten is not easy, and he was so much better than anyone else. I always said that if I'm 30% as good as he was I'll be happy. He really was that good. You can't compare anyone with him.
Players from Holland always seem to do well in England why do you think that is? Maybe it's just that the game suits us, with out mentality. We feel at home in England, it's not really a big difference from Holland that's important. Plus, we play a lot of "real" football we're not defensive like teams in other countries, and neither are a lot of English teams.
You studied business at University didn't you? Not quite University, no. We have a different system in Holland where after my education I could have gone to Uni, but when I was nineteen I became a professional footballer instead. I was at ecomonics school until then.
Have the players teased you about your academic success? Usually any player who has a brain gets the mickey taken out of him in the changing room. No, it's not like I have a degree or anything. I don't think anyone knows about it, even.
Is business something you may return to after you finish playing? Maybe. I'm not intending to start a business or anything!
Finally, can we expect the same from Ruud van Nistelrooy next season as we have seen this season? Well, that's what I want. I want to improve and be a better player. Next year I hope I can have the same performance level I've shown this season.
The ManUtd.com Interview (Page 2)
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