First Timers: Ruud van Nistelrooy

Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United, 2001)

Signed from PSV Eindhoven for £19million... scored on his debut in 2-1 Charity Shield defeat against Liverpool... has phenomenal record of 80 goals in two years at Old Trafford

Manchester United fans had waited 18 months to see van Nistelrooy after the original deal to take him to Old Trafford was delayed by a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Sir Alex Ferguson's patience was shown to be justified even though champions United lost to triple cup winners Liverpool at the first Shield game at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Van Nistelrooy pounced after 50 minutes, taking a Ryan Giggs pass in his stride and rounding Sander Westerveld with the class of a true marksman.

The goal proved to be the opening of the floodgates, Ruud scored 36 times in a trophyless first season and incredibly surpassed that last season - hitting 15 goals in his last 10 games as United swept past Arsenal to the league championship.

The only thing missing on his C.V. is a win at the Millennium having also lost this year's Worthington Cup Final, something he will want to put right on Sunday.

Trophies/awards for Man Utd

1 League championship 2002/03
PFA Player of the Year 2003
Premiership Golden Boot 2002/03

Ruud van Nistelrooy 

Nationality: Dutch 
Date of Birth: 01 July 1976 
Place of Birth: Oss, Holland 
Height: 6' 2''
Weight: 12 13 
Club: Manchester United 
Position: Forward