Bergkamp: Ruud has dark side

Arsenal's Dennis Bergkamp believes Ruud van Nistelrooy has a dark side.

Both players have enjoyed careers laden with praise but on occasion, have been involved with incidents of a less savoury nature.

Van Nistelrooy received a three-match ban earlier in the season for a violent lunge on Ashley Cole, while Bergkamp is not adverse to showing a physical side when provoked.

Arsenal's classy veteran concedes that the Dutch do possess a hard side and that United's top goal poacher is no exception.

''Like a lot of Dutch players, there is a darker side to him,'' Bergkamp told the Evening Standard.

''I have had moments in my career. On one side he is a brilliant footballer but on the other a little bit dirty, like a lot of us.

''You find that many strikers have this mean side to them - a side which in some ways, they have to have.

''It helps them stand their ground but it can look clumsy.''

Whilst Bergkamp is likely to be reinstated to Arsene Wenger's first eleven for Tuesday's game, van Nistelrooy misses out with an Achilles injury that has plagued his season.

Sir Alex Ferguson will rue the absence of his top marksman but for Bergkamp, van Nistelrooy's non appearance comes as considerable relief.

''I knew him during my last year with the Dutch national team,'' continued Bergkamp.

''I admire the way he plays football. He is a good player and for that reason it is important that he doesn't play.''

Whilst Bergkamp hints at his compatriot's dark side, van Nistelrooy is being hailed as a hero by his former club Den Bosch.

The prolific striker has pledged to become a sponsor of the club's youth academy, which will involve donating ‚é¼15,000 a year.

Van Nistelrooy's generous donation will be ploughed into Den Bosch's youth academy - which the player attributes to having a key part in his early career.