Dany Robson reports from Old Trafford
IT was probably appropriate that Manchester United's financial director read the statement about the no-show of Ruud van Nistelrooy.
As United plan to invest £18.5m -- a British record -- in the Dutch striker, David Gill explained that they are determined to know what they are getting for their money first.
As the media waited in anticipation of seeing the 23-year-old paraded at Old Trafford for the first time, the rumours had already started after an almost 90 minute wait.
It was well-known Ruud was attending the press conference after his medical in Cheadle.
He was due to talk briefly to the media and then do the customary ball and scarf routine on the pitch before jetting straight back to Holland to see out the season there before joining Old Trafford in the summer.
It was also well-documented that the 23-year old had a knee injury.
He's been out for six weeks after he sustained a medial ligament injury while attempting an overhead kick for PSV Eindhoven in a friendly against Silkeborg -- although it was thought he would be back in action next month.
After discussing the Pokemon craze, 100 TV Comedy moments and the Stockport air raid shelters, there was a feeling of growing uneasiness as the Press waited for Ruud's arrival -- especially among the national newspaper men who had already been told there would be no one-to-ones with the player and they were desperately trying to work out how they could make their story an "exclusive." The cameramen were poised, photographer's ready to click and everyone was boring holes into the Europe Suite door at Old Trafford, anticipating probably their first glimpse of Sir Alex Ferguson's new man.
It was already known that Sir Alex and chairman Martin Edwards, both said to be out of the country, wouldn't be present but Nistelrooy's arrival was enough. Instead it was finance director David Gill who walked through the door -- and it had to be explained to many who he was -- along with club solicitor and director Maurice Watkins and press officer Ken Ramsden.
Everyone looked beyond them for the 31-goal striker -- but he definitely wasn't there and then the whispers started.
"I would like to apologise for keeping you waiting and I will just read a brief statement. There will be no questions at this time," said a grim-faced Gill as journalists looked at each other with quizzical expressions.
He added: "Martin Edwards is on club business in Europe."
This didn't raise the next leading question of "where and why" as everyone was too busy anticipating the big news that was to come next. As you will be aware Ruud has had a knee injury and has not played for the last six to eight weeks," Gill started.
"A key focus in our tests today has been on the injured knee and we were unable to complete the necessary tests to our satisfaction.
"We will continue to conduct the tests over the course of the next few days, in co-operation with PSV Eindhoven, and we will communicate the position as soon as possible.
"I am pleased to inform you that we have concluded negotiations with both PSV and Ruud and we will complete the transfer as soon as the tests have been satisfactorily concluded.
"As I said at the start of the statement, Manchester United have no further comment at this present moment in time."
One person did dare to shout a question asking if this meant the transfer could be off -- and the reply was standard: "There will be no questions at this time."
And that was that. The most expensive transfer is on hold and instead of getting his first real taste of the British media, Ruud was apparently sat outside in his car.
The last United transfer which collapsed at the last moment because of a failed medical was goalkeeper Jim Blyth's aborted move from Coventry in 1978.
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