Sir Alex Ferguson has sensationally revealed that United's Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has asked to leave the club.

The United boss confirmed the news as the team landed in Durban as the Reds start a ten-day tour of South Africa. Sir Alex also revealed that there has already been contact from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich for the 30-year-old's services .

"I am waiting for David Gill [United chief executive] to fill me in, but Ruud van Nistelrooy has asked to leave the club," the manager told MUTV. "There may be some interest from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich." 

Speculation has been rife that van Nistelrooy would leave the club this summer. He was left out of United's side to face Charlton on the final day of the season, with Sir Alex citing issues around "the spirit of the club" for his exclusion. Since then, reports have persistently linked the Dutchman with a move away from Old Trafford.

Ruud said whilst on international duty with Holland at the 2006 World Cup finals that he would decide his future before the start of the season.

The player's agent, Roger Linse, has confirmed that van Nistelrooy wanted to resolve his future before he was due back for pre-season training with United on 24 July.

It now appears certain the Dutchman, who has scored 150 goals for United in five years since joining from PSV Eindhoven for £19million in 2001, will leave the club, with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich first in the queue.