Man Utd record transfer postponed

Absent star: Old Trafford directors broke the news

Problems surrounding the fitness of Manchester United's record-breaking transfer signing Ruud van Nistelrooy mean his arrival at the club has been postponed.

United have agreed an £18.5m fee with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven for the 23-year-old star.

The club had been due to unveil his arrival during a press conference at the club on Tuesday.

Nistelrooy watched United in action on Monday

But after reporters had been left waiting for almost 90 minutes, United's financial director David Gill and club solicitor Maurice Watkins announced that the deal has been put on hold while more tests are carried out on van Nistelrooy's knee.

The player has been suffering with a recurring knee problem and has not played since March.

'Future fitness'

It had earlier been suggested he had successfully negotiated a medical examination at Old Trafford.

However, it later emerged that although there was no dispute over the fee to be paid for the player, Manchester United want to carry out further tests before completing the deal which will break the British transfer record.

The medial knee ligament injury is a worry to United, who will want to be absolutely certain of his future fitness before spending so much money.

Manchester United financial director David Gill, said: "As you will be aware Ruud van Nistelrooy has had a knee injury and has not played for the last six to eight weeks.

"The key focus of our tests on Tuesday has been on the injured knee and we have been unable to complete all the necessary tests to our satisfaction today.

"We will continue to conduct the tests over the course of the next few days in co-operation with PSV Eindhoven and will communicate the position as soon as possible.

"I am pleased to inform you that we have concluded negotiations with both PSV and Ruud and we will complete the transfer as soon as the tests have been satisfactorily concluded."