Ruud at Old Trafford till final whistle

With 98 goals in 129 first-team appearances since his 18.5 million pound ($34m) move from PSV Eindhoven, Van Nistelrooy has turned into one of the most lethal strikers in Europe and last season set a new record for goals in a single Champions League campaign.

Coming so soon after Ferguson’s future was secured, the timing of Van Nistelrooy’s new contract is significant.

Media reports said he would be getting 90,000-pounds a week (164,000 dollar-a-week) in a five-year deal which would earn him up to 23.5 million pounds ($42.7 million).

The Dutch international has never forgotten the loyalty shown to him by Ferguson when his original move to United collapsed after a failed medical.

Just days later Van Nistelrooy ruptured a cruciate knee ligament in training, an injury which ruled him out of action for almost 12 months.

Ferguson though kept in contract and even invited the forward to United’s Carrington training ground during his rehabilitation.

It is the type of attention to detail Ferguson has made the hallmark of his managerial career and an example of why any attempt by major shareholder John Magnier to oust the Scot from his position would bring widespread disapproval from inside the United dressing room.

‘‘I am delighted to commit my future to the club,’’ Van Nistelrooy said. ‘‘I have grown very fond of Manchester United, the fans are amazing.

‘‘I have had some great moments here but I want to continue to give the club my best and I am looking forward to new challenges on the pitch.’’ His first season with United saw him net 36 goals in all competitions while in the Premiership he set a record by scoring in eight successive matches.

He is also United’s joint leading scorer in European competitions, his tally of 28 goals in 30 matches equalling the Denis Law’s record in three fewer games than it took the Scot to set his mark in the 1960s.