Ruud van Nistelrooy's record £19million transfer to Manchester United is teetering on the brink of collapse due to worries about the Dutch striker's injured knee. United had called a news conference for 4.30pm at Old Trafford, where they expected to parade the most expensive player in the history of British football.
However just before 6pm a grim-faced David Gill, who is United's financial director, walked into the packed Europa Suite, accompanied by club solicitor and director Maurice Watkins, to deliver the bombshell that the deal has been put on hold while more tests are carried out on van Nistelrooy's knee. The Dutch striker had actually arrived at Old Trafford ready to face the press but was driven off when news of the medical tests came through.
Meanwhile Cross Channel tonight Ipswich Town had to win to maintain their challenge for an automatic promotion spot. They played Steve Coppell's Crystal Palace, not yet secure in Division One, and the result was Ipswich Town 1 Crystal Palace 0.
