PSV threaten to axe sale of van Nistelrooy

PSV Eindhoven have reacted nervously to the delay that has halted the transfer of star striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to Manchester United with a threat to kill the deal.

Second thoughts on the £19 million transfer have been expressed by PSV owner Harry Van Raay after a knee injury caused the striker - the top scorer in Holland for the past two seasons - to fail a medical on Tuesday.

United had assembled the media for a press conference introduction of their new star two days ago but van Nistelrooy is a month away from match fitness after knee ligament damage suffered in a friendly five weeks ago.

The 23 year old star left Manchester yesterday and the completion of the transfer is at least a week away as United wait for the knee injury to heal and allow a heavier training schedule to start for the Dutch international.

PSV and the player have agreed the transfer but the delay means no contracts have been signed.

High insurance levels for the striker - who has suffered previously with ligament injuries - could also push the cost of the transfer as high as £22 million with United unsure of their investment.

Another complication for he new Premiership champions comes from the strained relationship between manager Ferguson and chairman Martin Edwards over the van Nistelrooy affair.

Edwards gave surprisingly explicit interviews at the start of the week outlining his view that Ferguson would need to im his squad of at least one striker if United went through with van Nistelrooy's purchase. The club are devoting massive funds towards the rebuilding of Old Traford and Edwards claims Fergusson's transfer budget is not much more than £20 million for he summer unless he starts to sell off players.

Ferguson has called van Nistelrooy the best striker of his age in the world and the damage to his relationship with the club's board could be irreparable if United axe the transfer over fitness or money worries.

Tottenham are set to bid £11 million for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - or tie his transfer to the sale of defender Sol Campbell to United - once the transfer situation at the champions clarifies.