Anyone knows how to change the font size....
Ruud van Nistelrooy has more than one reason to
support the Reds in the Nou Camp next week. Playing for Barca’s
rivals Real Madrid should be enough, but the Dutchman's love for
United means there’s no confusing where his loyalties
lie…
How’s
life?
Good. It was a big change moving to Madrid from Manchester. My wife was eight months pregnant and it was a
busy year, with the baby, settling in, a new language for us and a
new team. But we came through it well and everything is more
settled. I now speak the language and know my way around
Madrid.
Isn't it true that Dutch people learn a new language every
day after breakfast?
[Laughs] I tried to pick up Spanish straight away. I had classes
and after six months I could speak a bit. Very few people speak
English in Madrid so I
had to learn quickly. David Beckham helped me when I arrived. That
was a great help.
Do you
miss Manchester?
We do. We were very
happy there and I always thought that I would finish my career at
United. Sometimes things don’t go the way you plan, but that’s true
in life and not just football. We spent five years there
and Manchester will always be part of us. Me and my wife went
back last summer for a weekend to see friends. It was nice to be
there and drive around the city. When I finish my career I'll
return to Holland,
but I will visit Manchester a
couple of times a year.
What have you made of Cristiano Ronaldo's form
lately?
His development has been the biggest change since I left. He stands
out now. His improvement has been incredible. He came as a young
lad and needed to improve. The manager gave him confidence by
playing him all the time. By doing that he got the footballer he
wanted. Ronaldo’s now a great player. He makes the right decisions,
taking the man on when he needs to and passing the ball at the
right time. He does everything – he takes free kicks and corners.
He leaves goal kicks to van der Sar, but I expect him to start
taking them soon! If he carries on like this he’ll be the best
player in the world. He’s got everything.
Do you still watch United's matches?
I see most of the games. United are always on television in
Spain,
usually before we play. It’s good to see the team doing so well and
I like seeing games at Old Trafford because I’ve got happy memories
from there.
How do Spanish fans compare to their English
counterparts?
The English are the best supporters in the world. The stadiums are
always full. When United played away, our section was packed with
the hardcore making a great atmosphere. I can hear the United fans
singing when I watch matches on television. I noticed that they
have changed the words of one song from ‘Glasgow’,
where the 2002 Champions League final was held, to
‘Moscow’ the venue for this year’s final. ‘Follow,
follow, follow, because United are going to Moscow,’ –
that’s the one. United have the quality to get
there.
