Ruud van Nistelrooy

Van Nistelrooy explained his movement as a series of decisions imposed on defenders: stand between two of them, drop towards midfield, or wait on a shoulder where attention can slip. He credited Foppe de Haan with teaching him that constant involvement was not always useful. His insistence on being in motion when receiving the ball is the detail to watch. The first touch became easier because the contest for position had already begun before the pass.