Ruud rejected Fulham

(GSM) – Hamburg striker Ruud van Nistelrooy reveals he has snubbed an offer from Fulham last summer. Van Nistelrooy’s Hamburg are set to face Fulham in the Europa League semi-final against.

The Dutchman. who played in the English Premier League with Manchester United, moved from Real Madrid to Hamburg in January this year. And the former United star says his decision to refuse a move to Craven Cottage was based on footballing reasons.

However, the player has been impressed with Fulham’s European accomplishments this season.

Van Niselrooy said, “Fulham asked Real about me, but did not come up with a concrete proposition.

“The decision to join Hamburg was purely down to sporting aspects. I am still very ambitious and wanted to play for as many minutes as possible this season.

“It is incredible that they are in a European semi-final, but they fully deserve their success.

“Having said that, if we don’t make the final it will be a total disaster. It is impossible to think we might fail.

“Now I’m confident for this match and our dream is 180 minutes away.

“If we analyse history, Hamburg are better than Fulham, but that means absolutely nothing. Fulham have been a revelation in Europe this season.

“People here think Bobby Zamora is the key to Fulham, but we see how compact their team is and how powerful they are in defence. It won’t be easy to break them down.

“They have already had some historic results, like the one against Juventus, and the key to victory will be to stop them scoring in the first leg.”