By Chris O'Brien
May 26 2004

Ruud Van Nistelrooy has committed his future to Manchester United and hopes to end his career at Old Trafford when his contract expires in 2008. On the day that Alan Smith signed for the Red Devils, this news piles additional pressure on fringe strikers at the club.

On the day that Alan Smith completed a controversial move to Manchester United, Dutch striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy has committed his future to Manchester United and hopes to end his career at Old Trafford when his contract expires in 2008.

The prolific forward has been linked with a move to European giants Real Madrid in recent weeks, and his recent critical comments about Cristiano Ronaldo further fuelled speculation that Van Nistelrooy has fallen out with team-mates in Manchester. However, rumours of a Ruud departure over the summer have been squashed with the player confirming his future is as a Red Devil. Van Nistelrooy also revealed that he hopes to finish his career at Old Trafford when his current contract expires in 2008.

"I used to think that after my time at Manchester United I'd have a couple more years back home in Holland with PSV Eindhoven again. But I don't think like that any more." said Van Nistelrooy.

"When I stop playing, I will quit the game for good and never come back into football. I never want to be a manager," added the 27-year-old.

Van Nistelrooy's words will pile the pressure on second choice strikers at the club. Louis Saha and Alan Smith now look set to join the Dutchman as first-choice forwards in Sir Alex Ferguson's side, which will mean Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will struggle to earn much first-team experience and outsiders such as Diego Forlan, David Bellion and youngster Daniel Nardiello could be on their way out.