Leeds to appeal red card

Van Nistelrooy shoots way into Man Utd folkore

Ruud Van Nistelrooy has proved to be an inspired buy for Man Utd. Alex Livesey/Getty Images/Allsport

LONDON (Reuters) -- Ruud van Nistelrooy has wasted little time in earning his place in the Manchester United hall of fame, as his Sunday double made him the first player in the club's history to score in seven successive United matches.

The remarkable Dutch striker's two goals in the 3-2 FA Cup win over Aston Villa showed all the finishing skills that made Alex Ferguson prepared to wait a year to buy him from PSV Eindhoven for 19 million pounds (US$27.34 million) after he initially failed an Old Trafford medical 12 months previously.

His first contribution at Villa Park, to make it 2-2, came via an instant kill on his chest and an acrobatic volley.

His second was a classic one-on-one success against Peter Schmeichel, the former United keeper who built his reputation on being a daunting man to beat in those situations.

The goals took Van Nistelrooy's seasonal tally to 22 in 26 games for United, including 12 in his last eight games.

His latest hot streak coincides exactly with the club's dramatic turnaround in fortunes which has seen them notch seven successive victories.

After missing the home defeat against West Ham United on December 8, Van Nistelrooy scored in the wins against Derby County, Middlesbrough, Southampton (a hat trick), Everton, Fulham, Newcastle United and Villa.

He also scored two against Boavista in the Champions League three days before the West Ham game so has actually scored in the last eight games in which he has played.

Several players have scored in six successive United games, including Liam Whelan, Bobby Charlton, David Herd and Dwight Yorke.

Whelan holds the record for scoring in consecutive league matches -- eight in September and October 1965.

Van Nistelrooy would have to find the target against Southampton and Blackburn Rovers to equal that mark and could then beat it against Liverpool on January 22.

By then he could have a new supply line if United's attempt to lure Paolo Di Canio from West Ham bears fruit, producing a combination of creativity and potent finishing that Ferguson obviously hopes will propel United to even greater heights.

Whatever he does in the rest of the season, the 25-year-old Van Nistelrooy has proved to be an inspired buy, scoring every type of goal, setting up his team mates for others and growing in confidence with every game.

He began Sunday's third round tie on the bench as manager Alex Ferguson gave him a chance to rest a groin strain, but with Villa leading 2-0 after 55 minutes the manager turned to his most trusted finisher.

"When he came on he transformed the game," said Ferguson. "It was a marvelous performance and he took his goals very well."

Frustrated Villa manager John Gregory agreed. "Van Nistelrooy cost 19 million pounds and he is worth every penny of that," he said.

Leeds will appeal Smith red card

LEEDS, England -- Leeds is to appeal the red card shown to young striker Alan Smith in Sunday's shock 2-1 FA Cup loss to second division Cardiff City.

Smith, 21, was sent off for the sixth time in his career by referee Andy D'Urso after elbowing Cardiff's Andy Legg in the face in the third round game.

Leeds manager David O'Leary said after the match that Smith had been "disgracefully done by," before accusing referees in general of having "an agenda" against him.

"We will be appealing," O'Leary said Monday. "We will be sending a video down to the Football Association."

Legg said Monday he would help the appeal. With the tie at 1-1, Smith attempted to fend off Legg, who was holding his shirt. Smith caught Legg in the face, and the defender fell to the ground holding his mouth.

"At the end of the day I've caused the foul because I've held him," Legg said. "I was aware of his pace and I didn't want him to turn me and run me. I was tight to him and holding him, and to be fair to him he was just trying to shrug me off.

"I don't think there was any malice or intent involved. It's just he was trying to get rid of me, and unfortunately he's caught me in the mouth and cut my mouth.

"I was disappointed to see him get sent off, but it seems you can't raise your arms at all these days," Legg said. "You do that and you are in trouble. But I'd be willing to help the lad if necessary -- of course I would. I would say exactly what I'm saying here because I think I'm an honest player."

Job goes to Metz from Middlesbrough

MIDDLESBROUGH, England -- Cameroon striker Joseph-Desire Job has been transferred to French club Metz after failing to impress at Middlesbrough.

Job was signed by then Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson from Lens in 2000. But he has failed to impress Steve McLaren, who took charge at the beginning of this season.

Job has started 12 games this season and as a substitute in another seven, scoring three goals. He last appeared as a substitute in the 3-1 League Cup win over second division Northampton Town in September.

Grabbi likely to leave Blackburn

Grabbi has scored just one goal for Blackburn since moving from Italian club Ternana at the beginning of the season. He did not make the 19-man squad named Monday, with fringe players Mark Hughes and Egil Ostenstad preferred.

Napoli and Bologna are reportedly keen to sign Grabbi.

Aberdeen loses Zerouali for cup match

The Moroccan Football Association refused Zerouali permission to play in the rescheduled tie, wanting him start training with the national team for the African Nations Cup, starting Jan. 19.

"We tried everything we could to persuade Morocco to let us keep Hicham for the cup tie at Perth, but they refused our request," an Aberdeen spokesman said.

"They have insisted the player report for the start of their training camp for the African Nations Cup, and there is nothing we can do about that.

"We had hoped they would agree to the request because the tournament proper does not start for a couple of weeks yet. But they were unwilling to help, and we just have to accept the situation."

The tied was originally scheduled for Saturday but was postponed because of heavy fog.

Man Utd to make an improved offer for di Canio

West Ham manager Glenn Roeder said Sunday it had turned down United's initial offer, believed to be around 2 million pounds (US$2.8 million). He said he was unsure if another bid would be made.

"You'll need to ask Man United -- the ball is firmly in their court now," Roeder said.

United refused to comment Monday.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.