Van Nistelrooy proud to surpass Law's European record
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-09-16 09:05

Ruud van Nistelrooy became Manchester United's top scorer in Europe when he set a 30-goal club record with both goals in the 2-2 draw at Olympique Lyon in the Champions League on Wednesday.

 United came back from two goals down as the Dutchman, who went into the Group D match equal with Denis Law on 28 goals, scored twice in six minutes early in the second half.

 "The great player that Denis Law was, it's an honour for me to get near him," Van Nistelrooy said of the Scottish striker who helped United win their first European Cup in 1968 although he missed the final at Wembley due to knee surgery.

 "It's fantastic, a player of his kind, what he's done for the club. That's why it makes me proud," added the Dutchman, who is in his fourth season with United since joining from PSV Eindhoven in 2001.

 "I had some time out with injury but I worked so hard to come back and I'm happy that it paid off with goals today," Van Nistelrooy told Sky Sports after the match at Lyon's Gerland stadium, only his second game of the season.

 Van Nistelrooy, who helped the Netherlands reach the Euro 2004 semi-finals in Portugal at the end of June, came back from a hernia operation in August in United's Premier League match at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

 He said he was glad to have played a big part in United's recovery against the French champions.

 "In the first half we didn't play very well. We showed a lot of character in the second half and for me it's nice to help the team by scoring goals."

 United manager Alex Ferguson said: "Denis Law was one of the greatest players of all time but Van Nistelrooy is fantastic. Goals change games and Van Nistelrooy changed the game for us."

 Describing the Dutchman's first goal, a header, Ferguson said: "It was a good cross from Cristiano (Ronaldo) and he (Van Nistelrooy) hung in the air just like Denis used to do. He just guided it, no power, and it was inside the post."

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