5 players who hit their peak after suffering a career-threatening injury

#3 Ruud van Nistelrooy

Ruud Van Nistelrooy became one of Europe's most prolific strikers following his injury

Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy is one of the greatest goal scorers in Manchester United history, having scored 150 goals across all competitions in 5 seasons from 2001 to 2006. The move from Dutch club PSV to Manchester United was agreed in 2000 but prior to the move, Nistelrooy ruptured his anterior cruciate ligaments in the knee and the move broke down.

It is an injury that usually has career-altering effects and over the year, many players have found it impossible to get back to their usual selves.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson was convinced that he needed him at the club and after the player spent a year in his recovery, the move finally happened in 2001. The legendary United manager's conviction proved prophetic as Nistelrooy scored 36 goals in his first season and then followed it up with a 44 goal haul in 2002-03, as United won back the league title from Arsenal.

Those were his peak years as a striker and no one thought it would be possible. By the team he finished at United, he had scored 150 goals for the club and subsequently moved on to Real Madrid.