Ruud van Nistelrooy has recalled how Sir Alex Ferguson denied him the opportunity to win the Golden Boot in the 2001-02 season by leaving him out on the final day of the season.
The Dutch striker joined Manchester United from PSV the previous summer and had a superb first campaign in England, scoring 23 Premier League goals.
However, overall it was a disappointing season for the Red Devils, who finished in third place behind Arsenal and Liverpool.
And Van Nistelrooy was just pipped to the Golden Boot, with Thierry Henry and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink both managing one more goal than him.
Speaking to Rio Ferdinand in a FIVE interview, Van Nistelrooy recalled his admiration for Henry.
And he also explained why Ferguson left him out in United's draw with Charlton on the final day of the season, thus denying him the opportunity to level Henry and Hasselbaink.
"I admired him (Henry)," Van Nistelrooy said. "I saw him play and I studied his game. Thierry was doing stuff in the Premier League... oh my god, it was hard.
"I wanted to compete with him and push myself. Shearer was also up there challenging for the Golden Boot, and in the first year I was challenging.
"But the gaffer left me out in the last game of the season. He said 'you're not challenging for the Golden Boot. We didn't win the league, son.' He left me in the stands - not even on the bench!
"Thierry Henry scored one more goal! But the gaffer made me sharp in that moment. He said 'you score goals... fine, but you need to connect it with titles.'"
In the end Ferguson's harsh decision seemed to do the trick, however, as Van Nistelrooy went on to win the Golden Boot with 25 goals in the following season and United finished top of the pile.
