Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has told a British newspaper that his teammates would support an English players' union strike over their share of television cash.
The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) claim they are entitled to a five per cent share of the Premiership's new Stg£550 million television deal and argue this money is essential to finance compensation for players in the lower leagues.
Premier League players have been sent ballot papers on strike action and Dutch international van Nistelrooy told the News of the Worldthat his millionaire teammates at Old Trafford would back a strike.
"All the United players have the same thoughts," he told the newspaper.
"A strike is a possibility and we have to look after our colleagues.
"We want to look after the lower league players, that is what the union is all about.
"We've talked about what they want to achieve and are behind them.
"The main thing is we want the union to support them and that's the statement we want to make.
"Everybody looks at the top players but it's not only about them - they don't have the problems.
"It's about all the players. It doesn't matter what league they play in, we have to make sure they are looked after when they are in trouble and need help."
AFP