RUUD MAKES UEFA'S TEAM OF THE YEAR.
It is the first time the United star has made it into the side after being overlooked in the 2001 and 2002 polls.
Former United star David Beckham was also nominated, as was his Real Madrid team-mate and current FIFA World Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane.
The complete line-up for UEFA's team of the year is as follows:
Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
Defence: Paulo Ferreira (Porto), Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan), Paolo Maldini (AC Milan), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid)
Midfield: Luis Figo (Real Madrid), David Beckham (Real Madrid), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), Pavel Nedved (Juventus)
Forwards: Thierry Henry (Arsenal), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Man United)
Coach: Jose Mourinho (Porto)
Defence: Paulo Ferreira (Porto), Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan), Paolo Maldini (AC Milan), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid)
Midfield: Luis Figo (Real Madrid), David Beckham (Real Madrid), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), Pavel Nedved (Juventus)
Forwards: Thierry Henry (Arsenal), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Man United)
Coach: Jose Mourinho (Porto)