United demolish Sparta Prague
Van Nistelrooy equals record
Manchester United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy equalled a Champions League record as he scored all four goals in United’s 4-1 defeat of Sparta Prague at Old Trafford last night.
The Dutch master marksman became only the fourth player to hit a quartet in a Champions League game.
He followed the example set by Dado Pršo (Monaco v Deportivo in 2003), Marco van Basten (Milan v IFK in 1992) and Simone Inzaghi (Lazio v Marseille in 2000).
Ruud now boasts a staggering tally of 35 goals in 36 European matches in United’s colours.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson has likened his appetite for European football to the likes of football greats such as Alfredo Di Stefano, Gerd Muller and Johann Cruyff.
Ruud confirmed to the club’s official web site that it’s a stage he relishes:
“I enjoy it. I enjoy playing for United in every competition. But the Champions League is very special to me. For me it is just great every time I enter the stadium here and play games at Old Trafford - it’s always special for me.”
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