United's Ferguson expects van Nistelrooy back

LONDON, July 6 (Reuters) Manager Alex Ferguson today said he expected Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to return to Manchester United for pre-season training on July 24.

Van Nistelrooy stormed out of the club after being omitted from United's final Premier League game in early May. He spent most of the latter part of the season on the bench.

The Dutchman said Ferguson had prevented him from playing in a testimonial for former captain Roy Keane.

Today, Ferguson said United players not involved in the World Cup had reported back on Monday ahead of a tour to South Africa from July 15 to 22.

''We are taking a good nucleus of the experienced players over including Wes Brown, John O'Shea, Patrice Evra, Darren Fletcher, Kieran Richardson, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and some of our young players,'' Ferguson said on the United website.

''In most cases (the players involved in the World Cup) have got a three-week holiday.

''The ones who'll be reporting on July 24 after the knock-out stages are Gary Neville, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Gabriel Heinze, Edwin Van Der Sar and Ruud van Nistelrooy.'' Winger Cristiano Ronaldo is set to return on July 28 after Portugal were knocked out of the World Cup in the semi-finals by France.

REUTERS SHB KP2307