VAN NISTELROOY TELLS OF WORLD CUP TORMENT

United's £19 million pound hitman was in the Dutch side which crashed to a 1-0 defeat against 10-man Republic of Ireland in September, which all but ended any hope the Dutch had of making next summer's finals.

But their failure held more heartache for the former PSV frontman, who missed out on Euro 2000 because of the serious knee injury he sustained in April of that year.

"You want to play on the greatest stages and I can't show the world what I can do," he said.

"But there has to be a change in the Dutch mentality because everyone thought it would be no problem.

"You have to realise that the World Cup starts with the first qualifier, not with the finals in Japan."

The 25-year-old striker also spoke of his shock at seeing his good friend Jaap Stam transferred to Lazio in a £16 million deal.

He added: "I didn't know what to think," he said. "I couldn't find out. I only think it was the offer of £16 million at Jaap's age.

"He was so disappointed. He said: 'Ruud, I can't believe what's happening. I love this club and this is where I want to finish my career'.

"It hasn't been easy but he has found his way in Rome with his family. I speak to him a lot and he is getting happier every day."