Ruud threat?

Manchester United will reportedly sell striker Ruud van Nistelrooy in the summer if he refuses to sign an improved three-year extension to his contract.

According to a report in the Daily Mirror, United are planning to offer the Dutchman a £10,000-a-week pay rise to commit himself to the club for a further three years.

Van Nistelrooy's contract is due to expire in June 2008 and the proposed deal would see his wages rise to £90,000 a week.

But Sir Alex Ferguson is apparently keen to sell him for maximum value at the end of the season if the striker refuses to prove his loyalty to the Old Trafford club.

Van Nistelrooy has not started a match for United since a poor showing in their FA Cup defeat by Liverpool at Anfield last month.

Louis Saha was surprisingly selected ahead of him in the Carling Cup final against Wigan and van Nistelrooy has started on the bench for the last two Premiership games against Wigan and Newcastle.

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