Van Basten ready to drop Ruud?
Holland coach Marco van Basten has hinted that he could drop Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Holland coach Marco van Basten has hinted that he could be ready to drop Ruud van Nistelrooy for the country's second round game against Portugal.The Manchester United star started all three of Oranje's group games as the Europeans finished second behind Argentina, but is now facing a strong challenge for his place from Feyenoord's Dirk Kuyt.
Both Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben have looked bright in the wide positions of van Basten's three-pronged strike-force, and Kuyt was handed the chance to stake a claim for a starting role in the 0-0 draw with Argentina, with the Chelsea man on a yellow card.
Van Nistelrooy was substituted for the third game in a row in the stalemate, and van Basten has now admitted he is considering dropping the 29-year-old despite his goal against Ivory Coast.
"The central position up front is a point of discussion and the chance that Dirk will start on Sunday has increased," said Van Basten.
Losing his international place would be another blow for a player who became an outcast towards the end of the season at Old Trafford after falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson.
