Manchester United have tasted rejection in the transfer window before, as the plug was once pulled on a prospective British record deal, only for the player to arrive at Old Trafford 12 months later
Comments
Sport
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson (r) welcomes new signing Ruud van Nistelrooy (l) to Old Trafford
Manchester United were rebuffed in their attempts to sign Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2000
(Image: EMPICS Sport)
Manchester United's summer transfer window has seen them face rejection on more than one occasion already. However, the Red Devils have suffered plenty of rebuffs before – even in their heyday – as evident during the Ruud van Nistelrooy transfer saga of 2000.
Ruben Amorim's side need reinforcements, having finished trophyless and a lowly 15th in the Premier League table this campaign. Brentford talisman Bryan Mbeumo has been eyed, and a deal looked to be on the verge of completion before ex-Bees boss Thomas Frank's move to Tottenham scuppered proceedings.
It is now suggested that the Danish head coach wishes to bring Mbeumo to north London with him, and with a superior £70million offer tabled, doubts loom over whether he'll prefer to stay in the capital or jump ship for Old Trafford.
One of Amorim's former players, Sporting CP ace Viktor Gyokeres, was also targeted this window as the club looks to add potency to their strikeforce, but reports from Portugal suggest he has turned his nose up at a reunion in Manchester.
Such dismissal harkens memories of 25 years ago, when PSV's star striker Van Nistelrooy looked certain to complete a move to Sir Alex Ferguson's United, only for medical tests to throw a decisive spanner in the works. However, in this instance, the Red Devils got the last laugh.
Van Nistelrooy made light work of the Eredivisie during his stint with PSV from 1998 to 2000. He scored 77 goals in 90 league games, won the Dutch Player of the Year award in all three terms, and was twice the league's top scorer.
It was only a matter of time before top European sides came sniffing, and Ferguson's United did just that, with the Scottish boss being tipped off about the striker by his son and agreeing to a deal one day after sending scouts to the Netherlands.
A fee of £18.5m was shaken hands upon, a prospective British record sum, however niggling concerns about the then-sidelined Dutchman's knee led to the request of additional tests during Van Nistelrooy's medical.
Ruud van Nistelrooy playing for PSV
Van Nistelrooy's initial United transfer collapsed entirely
United wished to keep the striker in Manchester for extra tests, but the player and his club refused, citing that the tests could potentially delay his recovery, and the deal was called off.
"Manchester United is very disappointed that the transfer of Ruud van Nistelrooy from PSV Eindhoven cannot proceed at this present time," read a statement from the club. "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."
Alas, Ferguson and his team breathed an immediate sigh of relief when, just a week after the deal folded, Van Nistelrooy suffered a serious knee injury in training that kept him out of action for the year.
Fast forward to 12 months later, Van Nistelrooy put pen to paper on a British record £19m deal, and he touched down in Manchester to lead the Red Devils' line. He would play over 200 games for United, scoring a staggering 150 goals while winning a league title and FA Cup crown.
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.