After holding a meeting with van Basten on Friday, Van Nistelrooy revealed he didn’t get the assurances he expected regarding his role with Holland.

''I did not specifically ask for a place in the side, but I did want to have the feeling that I would be a candidate for that," the 30-year-old striker said.

''I did not get that feeling. That is why I don't see the conditions to give a good performance.

"It is disappointing, I always played for Oranje with much pleasure and I would have liked to continue to do that," he added.

Van Basten believes that Van Nistelrooy hasn't got special preference in a squad that includes many front men such as Dirk Kuyt, Arjen Robben and Robin van Perise.

''He should be prepared to compete with the others. We cannot guarantee him a starting place. That would be not be fair to the other candidates for the position," he said.

The former Manchester United man didn't feature for Holland since the World Cup finals in Germany.

He played 54 times for his country and scored 27 goals.