01 October 2023 , 08:00
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Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to sign Louis Saha from Fulham led to a "nuts" falling out with Manchester United icon Ruud van Nistelrooy after the boss broke an established Red Devils rule.
The legendary Scottish boss swooped for the Frenchman’s signature in January 2004 after his stellar form at Craven Cottage. He became the latest addition to a star-studded attack that included the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Diego Forlan and Van Nistelrooy.
Detailing how the deal came about, former United defender Gary Neville has revealed Ferguson went against convention by seeking his advice. Speaking to Sky Sports back in 2020, he said: "Sir Alex never asked us which players we should sign or never asked us information about players he was going to sign.
"But after we played Fulham one time in the FA Cup (in 2001), he actually asked us as defenders, would we sign Louis Saha? We all said 'yes' straight away.
"I remember the season where he was playing up front with Wazza (Wayne Rooney) in 2006 and it was unbelievable; they were fantastic together. Louis was a brilliant, brilliant player. He gave me absolute nightmares when I used to play against him when he played for Fulham - him and Luis Boa Morte."
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Whilst many were delighted with Saha’s arrival at Old Trafford - one man in particular wasn’t: Dutch forward Van Nistelrooy. His game time slowly but shortly dwindled after the striker was signed.
Louis Saha's arrival and Man United signalled the beginning of the end for Ruud van Nistelrooy (Getty Images)Who was Sir Alex Ferguson's best-ever signing? Share your thoughts in the comments below
The situation came to a head during the 2005/06 campaign when the former PSV star was left on the bench for the League Cup final against Wigan Athletic in place of Saha. According to Rio Ferdinand, Van Nistelrooy was expecting to make an appearance of some sort but he was not called upon.
Speaking to The Beautiful Game podcast in 2020, the former defender said: "I think one of the big catalysts for Ruud leaving was the League Cup final. He didn't start the game, but he said that the manager promised he was going to come on. But he didn't come on.
"Ruud went nuts. He was going crazy on the bench, screaming, swearing at the manager. I think the manager was like 'you know what... ooh, now's the time [to sell him].”
That led to the relationship between Ferguson and Van Nistelrooy becoming so fractious that the striker wanted a route out of Old Trafford. Spanish giants Real Madrid swooped for the then 30-year-old the following season.
It took until 2010 for things to be smoothed over between the pair, with Van Nistelrooy staging an apology during his time with German side Hamburg. Recalling a phone call, the Dutchman revealed: "I rang him and he answered and said: 'OK, fine, go ahead.'
"I said I wanted to apologise for what had happened and he replied, 'Fine, I appreciate that, when we meet again it will be OK.' That was great to know."
Fortunately, there were never any problems between Saha or Van Nistelrooy. Speaking out on his relationship with the Dutchman, the former said: “He was always really nice with me; he maybe had a problem with the choice made by the manager, but never with me. He was obsessed about goals, and I respect that.”