EIGHT MONTH ABSENCE FOR RUUD

The PSV Eindhoven striker was clearly in agony after aggravating the problem during a training session on Friday morning, and Manchester United`s worst fears have been confirmed, following an operation in Gestrop.

Van Nistelrooy has suffered damage to his medial ligament and also, crucially, torn his cruciate ligament in his knee. It is an injury similar to the one that has previously sidelined the likes of Paul Gascoigne, Roy Keane, Alan Shearer and Ronaldo.

Frank Arnesen, the PSV general manager, commented: "We are very startled," after being in touch with the player himself.

"It`s the same injury Ronaldo has," said Hannie Zwigers, an assistant to van Nistelrooy`s agent John Linse. "If it had happened 15 years ago it would have ended his career. Now he just has to concentrate on his recovery.

"He`s very upset," Zwigers told Bloombergs. "He`s such a nice guy and we all feel sorry for him."

"I felt a strong pain for two minutes, the pain went away and I just walked off the field," Van Nistelrooy himself stated. "In the dressing room, we decided to go to the hospital after all."

Of course, the Dutch international will miss out on the European Championships in his home country, and possibly on a dream switch to Old Trafford, after the cruciate damage made the injury far more severe than had first been realised.

United pulled the plug on a record £18.5 million transfer, amidst concerns over the state of van Nistelrooy`s knee. It will be a lengthy absence for the 23-year-old, who will be hoping to bounce back at the start of next year.

The scenario is eerily similar to the one that beset Marco van Basten, who had his careeer prematurely ended by injury. Van Nistelrooy has been dubbed the `new van Basten` but he will be hoping that he does not continue to suffer the same problems that plagued the former Milan man.

Click here for our revelation that van Nistelrooy was undergoing an operation