Van not a clever man

The prolific Dutchman claims the tactical side of the game holds no interest for him and he is happy to merely follow manager Sir Alex Ferguson's orders.

Van Nistelrooy, who has plundered a plethora of goals for the second successive season at Old Trafford, also feels he can appear cumbersome to some observers.

"I'm not a brainy player," said van Nistelrooy. "I'm a footballer who likes to play intuitively and with my heart on my sleeve.

"The tactical side of the game doesn't do that much for me. United let me burst into open spaces because I love to run.

"The boss wants me to make life hell for defenders by pulling my markers all over the place.

"Playing this way means that I'm capable of doing fantastic things but also things which are clumsy. Sometimes I give the impression that my technique is horrible and that I often don't control the ball very well."

The in-form marksman also vowed to put the team's success ahead of his own personal quest for glory.

He added: "A lot is made of my desire to win a trophy after the disappointment of last season and I am keen on silverware.

"But I'm not playing for me. I'm a total team player and want to be part of a United trophy win, not just getting something to satisfy Ruud van Nistelrooy's ambition."