Ruud van Nistelrooy's Manchester United future is in doubt after he drove away from Old Trafford three hours before this afternoon's clash with Charlton.

'The precise reasons for van Nistelrooy's disappearing act have not been made public by United but it is difficult to imagine why the 29-year-old would go to the stadium, then leave without having heard some bad news.

A statement from the club confirmed: "We can confirm Ruud van Nistelrooy has gone home.
"The club will be making no further comment as we are concentrating on today's game."

Van Nistelrooy's United career has been the subject of intense debate since Sir Alex Ferguson axed him from the United starting line-up for the Carling Cup final win over Wigan at the Millennium Stadium in February.

At the time, the Dutchman accepted the decision, acknowledging Ferguson's argument that Louis Saha, having played in most of the earlier rounds, deserved to play in Cardiff. Van Nistelrooy did make it clear he expected to be back for the following week's Premiership game with the Latics.

However, once again, he was on the bench, as he was for the subsequent three games, all of which United won.

While van Nistelrooy did return for the win over West Ham on March 29th, he was promptly dropped for the following week's match with Bolton and was on the bench two weeks ago at Stamford Bridge when the Red Devils took on Chelsea in a match which ended their lingering title hopes.

If, as seems likely, van Nistelrooy left the ground in a fit of temper, it is inconceivable he will not be sold in the summer. Few, if any, players have crossed Ferguson and emerged to tell the tale.

Even though he is now in his 20th year at United, Ferguson's ruthless streak remains and his authorisation of Roy Keane's departure in November is proof of his willingness to take unpopular decisions if he believes it benefits the club.

Ironically, on Friday van Nistelrooy was talking about playing in Keane's testimonial against Celtic on Tuesday before heading off to join Holland's World Cup finals campaign.

However, even though this season he became only the eighth player in United history to score 150 goals for the club - and did so in just 214 games, it appears his appearance against Middlesbrough last Monday - when he missed the penalty which would have secured United's place in next season's Champions League group phase, could be his last.