Man Utd managed to get last laugh after collapsed transfer left them 'very disappointed'
Ruud van Nistelrooy was all set to join Man Utd for a then-British record fee in 2000, and though the deal fell through, the Red Devils got the last laugh.
Manchester United's summer transfer endeavours have been met with several setbacks already. However, this is a situation not unfamiliar to the club, as evidenced by the Ruud van Nistelrooy transfer saga of 2000. Ruben Amorim's squad is in dire need of bolstering, following a disappointing season that saw them finish without silverware and end up 15th in the Premier League table.
Brentford's star player Bryan Mbeumo emerged on their radar, with a deal seemingly imminent until former Bees manager Thomas Frank's switch to Tottenham threw a spanner in the works. The Danish coach is keen to bring Mbeumo to north London, and with a hefty £70million offer on the table, it remains uncertain whether Mbeumo will opt to remain in the capital or make the move to Old Trafford. Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres, who formerly played under Amorim, is also on United's wishlist this window as they seek to inject firepower into their attack. However, reports from Portugal indicate the Arsenal target is snubbing the chance for a reunion in Manchester.
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This rejection echoes back to 25 years ago when PSV's star striker Van Nistelrooy seemed set to join Sir Alex Ferguson's United, only for medical tests to derail the deal. However, in that case, the Red Devils had the final say.
Van Nistelrooy dazzled in the Eredivisie with PSV between 1998 and 2000, netting an impressive 77 goals in just 90 league appearances. His stellar performances earned him the Dutch Player of the Year accolade for three consecutive seasons and saw him crowned the league's top scorer twice.
Europe's elite clubs couldn't ignore such talent, and Ferguson's United were quick to act, spurred on by a tip from his son. The Red Devils moved swiftly, agreeing to an £18.5m fee – set to be a British record – just a day after scouts were dispatched to the Netherlands.
However, concerns over Van Nistelrooy's knee, which had sidelined him, prompted United to call for further medical examinations. The club wanted to keep the striker in Manchester for additional tests, but both Van Nistelrooy and PSV declined, fearing it might hinder his recovery, leading to the deal's collapse.
"Manchester United is very disappointed that the transfer of Ruud van Nistelrooy from PSV Eindhoven cannot proceed at this present time," the club released in a statement. "As reported on Tuesday, April 25, 2000, further tests were necessary for Manchester United to proceed with the transfer.
"The discussions that have been held between all the parties failed to reach agreement as to the extent of these tests, and as a result of this difference in opinion, we cannot proceed at this present time."
Regrettably, just a week after the deal collapsed, Van Nistelrooy sustained a severe knee injury in training that sidelined him for a year, much to the relief of Ferguson and his team.
Fast-forward a year, and Van Nistelrooy signed a record-breaking £19m deal, landing in Manchester to spearhead the Red Devils' attack. He would go on to play more than 200 matches for United, netting an impressive 150 goals and securing both a league title and an FA Cup victory.
