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Van Nistelrooy proud to surpass Law's European record
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-09-16 09:05 Ruud van Nistelrooy became Manchester United's top
scorer in Europe when he set a 30-goal club record with both goals in the 2-2
draw at Olympique Lyon in the Champions League on Wednesday.
United came back from two goals down as the Dutchman, who went into the
Group D match equal with Denis Law on 28 goals, scored twice in six minutes
early in the second half.
"The great player that Denis Law was, it's an honour for me to get near
him," Van Nistelrooy said of the Scottish striker who helped United win their
first European Cup in 1968 although he missed the final at Wembley due to knee
surgery.
"It's fantastic, a player of his kind, what he's done for the club.
That's why it makes me proud," added the Dutchman, who is in his fourth season
with United since joining from PSV Eindhoven in 2001.
"I had some time out with injury but I worked so hard to come back and
I'm happy that it paid off with goals today," Van Nistelrooy told Sky Sports
after the match at Lyon's Gerland stadium, only his second game of the season.
Van Nistelrooy, who helped the Netherlands reach the Euro 2004
semi-finals in Portugal at the end of June, came back from a hernia operation in
August in United's Premier League match at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
He said he was glad to have played a big part in United's recovery
against the French champions.
"In the first half we didn't play very well. We showed a lot of
character in the second half and for me it's nice to help the team by scoring
goals."
United manager Alex Ferguson said: "Denis Law was one of the greatest
players of all time but Van Nistelrooy is fantastic. Goals change games and Van
Nistelrooy changed the game for us."
Describing the Dutchman's first goal, a header, Ferguson said: "It was
a good cross from Cristiano (Ronaldo) and he (Van Nistelrooy) hung in the air
just like Denis used to do. He just guided it, no power, and it was inside the
post."
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