Van Nistelrooy staying at United says Queiroz

MANCHESTER, England, Mar 17 (Reuters) Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy will not be leaving Old Trafford, assistant manager Carlos Queiroz said today.

Van Nistelrooy's omission from the starting line-up for the past three games has led to speculation the Dutch international could leave in the close season after five years leading the United line.

Queiroz insisted the 29-year-old still has a key role to play at United.

''Ruud is a crucial player for our goals and our ambitions.

Nobody can have any doubts about that,'' Queiroz told reporters.

''He is part of our team and part of our needs and his contribution, starting the game or during the game, is always crucial to us. He is part of our plan - the short, medium and long-term.

''You can't be surprised that 50 teams in the world want Ruud. There is only one team that does not need to want Ruud and that is Manchester United because we have him.

''We are the special team that has Ruud so we just need to show our commitment and our appreciation to the player because he is a crucial player to us.'' Queiroz believes Van Nistelrooy, joint top scorer in the Premier League, is happy at Old Trafford where he has been offered reassurances about his importance to the club.

He said dealing with players who have been left out of the side is not a new problem.

''We can't play four or five major competitions with 11 players,'' Queiroz said.

''We need great players, the best players in the world, and it happens once in a while, for different circumstances, that one player doesn't play.

''For two or three games it has been Ruud, tomorrow it could be another player.'' Queiroz believes England striker Wayne Rooney should play in United's remaining 10 games as they look to secure second place behind champions-elect Chelsea.

''There are 30 points in front of us and we need Rooney to win those 30 points, Queiroz said.

''He has time to rest when the World Cup has finished before next season. He does not need to rest because his form is fantastic.'' United defender Wes Brown will miss Saturday's game at relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion, who are 17th in the 20-strong table, with a slight groin injury.

Serbia and Montenegro international Nemanja Vidic is likely to deputise.

REUTERS DH KP2058