VAN NISTELROOY DRIVEN OUT

Van Nistelrooy did not walk out on United in a strop - he was booted out by Sir Alex Ferguson.

M.E.N. Sport understands the training ground bust-ups last week were so serious that Fergie ordered the Dutchman home.

The Reds striker has told friends he didn't walk out on his team-mates but was ordered to leave by his furious boss who said: "You're not welcome here."

Fergie didn't even want van Nistelrooy at Old Trafford on Sunday, let alone in his squad of 16 for the match against Charlton.

In an unprecedented move, Van Nistelrooy was sent packing after being told in United's hotel that he wasn't in the squad for the final Premiership match of the season.

However, sources in Holland close to the van Nistelrooy camp say the player is mystified that if events at Carrington were so harmful, why was the striker even taken to United's pre-match hotel?

And why wasn't he spoken to when the incidents are supposed to have taken place, instead of being informed three hours before kick-off.