Ruud Awakening For Sparta

Sir Alex Ferguson praised Ruud van Nistelrooy after the Dutch striker scored all four goals in United's 4-1 victory against Sparta Prague.



"Ruud is just unbelievable. He is definitely the most clinical finisher we have seen here," said Ferguson.

"The Champions League is a true test of all footballers in Europe."

"Over the last 40 years the great players, the likes of Di Stefano, Puskas, Cruyff and Muller, have used this competition as the big platform."

Van Nistelrooy played down his peformance while heaping praise on his team-mates.

"It's great, a good feeling to have won the game," said Van Nistelrooy.

"We played very well and the lads were looking for my movement a lot."

Christiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney are finally learning how important Ruud van Nistelrooy is to Manchester United.

If they are able to release him and the ball early, he will punish any team just as he did last night.