I remember, a few years back, reading the Trinidad Express, sports page. Seeing the news that Van Nistelrooy would be moving to Man Utd. I felt on top of the world, with flashes of an energetic, strong flying finisher, who runs to the fans to celebrate. Now though,(although undoubtedly he's class) he just seems to be lumbering, sluggish. Rarely doing stuff like he did against(Fulham i think?) last year, taking on players then finishing cooly. Will he ever get back to that pumped, energetic state?(this season at least?) Or has certain tactics cramped his style?
I think he's just a bit out of it right now. Whats the word... knackered? I wonder if his injury has been bothering him for some time, because he can usually do wonders with the ball, but it seems he's been a bit off lately. I hope he can get back on track before the season is over. I think its good that Saha can lend a hand, because Ruud was probably a little tired of being the one and only guy up top. Things should be fine.
I personally watch and wonder the same thing. I think the problem is that Man U isn't the same Man U of last year. Last year they had crosses coming from the right side. This year they have Ronaldo dribbling from the right side. Two different styles. Plus, hasn't RVN been hurt for much of the year? He's always on the bench.
Ruud has only recently been hurt officially, but I get the feeling that his injury might be a few weeks old. Also, Ronaldo has been making some nice crosses from the right recently. See the Everton game for one where he hooked up with Ruud,
Part of it is the lack of balls through the middle we're getting. Keane doesn't come forward so much anymore... so if the other team marks Scholes closely, we don't create through the middle all that much. The other part is that Ruud is either injured or off-form. He's perhaps the best natural striker of the ball I've ever seen. But lately, he's been mishiting far more often.
You could ask the same question about a lot of people on this team. I think that MUFC as a team is going through a rebuilding year. This is a team built for the future and i think after playing together for a season they'll be ready to do big things over the next few years. As for RVN I think he'll be back and ready to go if he doesn't get too run down over the summer with Holland.
Undoubtedly missing Becks service (and Ole service). We have also been very slow in our play from defense to attack, means the opposition can get set and mark him more easily. Also, service from Giggs has not been that good and we are creating little from the central mids. He is also tired and as others have suggested may have been carrying an injury for a while. The guy just needs a break. As has been said many times before; form is temporary, class is permanent.
hey invincible, click here: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=82107 Ruud is burnt out, needs a break.
Yes, he has been out of it for awhile I agree... and it might be due in part to being worn out however its not just scoring goals, or not scoring goals, its actually taking on a defender, making a run, winning a header, trying a shot, it seams as he has not had the same passion and involvment.. since he topped 100... well, a little before that... but I hope its as u guys say, just being tired/injured.... he wont play today, but maybe he can go for tommorow.
This always comes up when Ruud hits a dry spell. Hopefully the rest and recovery from injury will see Ruud go on one of his customary scoring rampages....plus, when Henry has a good day, the spotlight invariably goes on Ruud.
Oh, man, this thread brings back memmories... oh what a time... since then Ronaldo has been a revelation - we have picked up Saha... Fletcher has finally had a good game... Kleberson, when he started was brilliant. Its funny it gets brought up now, because its a week before finals and it was finals time then too... lol Never, never, never, never, never....
Utd are not playing as attacking a game and he's not getting the service he was. Add to that the opposition defenders now know to keep tight on him, double-team him (not difficult with only one striker) and the workload he's had to shoulder this season with Ole out for most of it causing him fatigue. But he'll still finish up with more than 30 goals for the season. All teams should have such an out-of-form striker