THE ROAD TO NOWHERE

If Manchester United lose Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid, they might as
well run a white flag up the pole at Old Trafford and have done with it.

There would be no greater indication United's power base in the game is
shrinking than the sight of their record-breaking striker heading for the exit,
whether it's because they cannot fight off the financial clout of the Spanish
club or because the player himself believes his prospects would be improved
elsewhere.

His sale would constitute an admission United had given up trying to dominate
England and Europe and were ready to settle for a place in the pecking order
behind the likes of Barcelona, Madrid, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Remember when United were trashing those David Beckham rumours last
season? It was almost a year ago to the day that they issued a statement
saying: "We can categorically deny that any deal is in place to sell David
Beckham to Real Madrid. This story is categorically untrue. David will be a
Manchester United player next season."

They could not have been more strident. They could not have been more
embarrassingly wrong. And van Nistelrooy's situation has remarkable parallels
with that spectacularly damaging Beckham trade.

For United's sake I hope van Nistelrooy remembers how the club stood by him
when he was recovering from his terrible knee-ligament injury. I hope he
shows some of the patience the club granted him in the darkest hour of his
career.

But to win the argument, United have to do more than convince van Nistelrooy
he has a debt to pay. They have to prove they remain big box office by luring
some star names TO Old Trafford, not by sending them out the door.

Losing Beckham to Madrid was bad, losing out on Ronaldinho to Barcelona
made it worse.

But if Manchester United allow van Nistelrooy to slip away, would the last
person leaving Old Trafford please turn out the lights?