Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has accused Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson of stabbing him in the back.
Van Nistelrooy left Old Trafford for Real Madrid in the summer in a £10,5-million transfer following a highly publicised rift with Ferguson.
The striker, who scored 150 goals for United and is the club’s all-time leading European goal-scorer, had enjoyed a prolific five-year period with the Red Devils but now claims he was treated badly by his former manager towards the end of his United career.
”The first three-quarters of last season went well for me but the final part is best forgotten,” he said.
”My situation with Sir Alex started to change and it became difficult for me and him to work together.
”I had previously had a marvellous relationship with him. But in February we played the Carling Cup final against Wigan and I remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes.
”To me this felt like a stab in the back,” said the former PSV Eindhoven star, who joined United in 2001 and helped them win the Premiership in 2003. — Sapa-AFP