Ruud van Nistelrooy looks set to start the new season at the Bernabeu and not Old Trafford. Manchester United and Real Madrid have agreed a fee and a medical seems to be the only thing between the Dutchman and a move to La Liga.

RVN becomes the latest in a long line of either clubs or players that Sir Alex Ferguson has fallen out with. And to think he once accused Dennis Wise as being able to cause a fight in an empty house.

His playing days in Scotland were marked by recurring friction - St. Johnstone, Dunfermline, Rangers and Falkirk.

His second managerial appointment - at St. Mirren - finished with him being fired and then suing for unfair dismissal through an Industrial Tribunal.

Players who have eventually fallen foul of Fergie include Gordon Strachan, Paul Ince, Paul McGrath, Jim Leighton, Jaap Stam, Roy Keane, David Beckham to name a few. RVN was added to that list in the spring.

For United the question is who replaces the Dutchman? Rooney, Solksjaer (fitness question), and Saha are not going to be enough. Fernando Torres looks set to stay with Athletico Madrid for the forseeable future. It seems unlikely that another Premiership side will sell United a striker even if one was considered good enough and there doesn't at the moment.

Klose at Werder Bremen is an option. Ronaldo's name crops up on the rumour mill but it is hard to understand why United would take such a risk and if they were it surely would have been part of a swop deal. The lack of top class goal scorers was reinforced at the recent World Cup Finals.

As for Real Madrid they have another forward which seems to be a clear indication that Fabio Capello is far from happy with the choice he inherated. So out of Raul, Robinho, Baptista, Ronaldo, and Cassano who will be forced out?