6. Ruud van Nistelrooy
Mike Egerton/EMPICS SportAsk Arsenal fans what they think about Ruud van Nistelrooy and they'll likely give you a few choice answers. The former Manchester United striker evoked fury in 2003 in a match between the Red Devils and Arsenal that has since been remembered as the Battle of Old Trafford. Nistelrooy was accused by Arsenal players of feigning injury to get Patrick Vieira sent off after going to ground a little too easily when the Frenchman flicked a boot out at him. Angry scenes were sparked between both sets of players as tensions simmered in the stands, and there was yet more anger when Diego Forlan won a penalty after going down under an innocuous challenge from Martin Keown. Nistelrooy stepped up to take the penalty, struck the crossbar, and was pushed, shoved and jeered by Arsenal players mocking him for his miss. As well as drawing the ire of Arsenal supporters, van Nistelrooy also burned his bridges at Old Trafford when, in 2006,
he swore at Sir Alex Ferguson and mocked Cristiano Ronaldo over the recent death of his father. There was no way back for the Dutchman, who was sold to Real Madrid in 2006.