Robin Van Persie Wants To Stay With Manchester United, Are They Better Off Without Him?

Robin Van Persie has confirmed that he sees his future at Manchester United, as well as revealing that he wants to extend his stay at Old Trafford.

The Dutch striker has been constantly linked with a move away from the lame-duck Premier League champions, who have struggled since David Moyes replaced Sir Alex Ferguson as manager last summer.

However, the 30-year-old has insisted that despite the side’s recent downturn, he wants to stay at the club. “The truth is I’m very happy here,” Van Persie told the Red Devils’ match-day programme, United Review. “I signed for four years and I’d be delighted to stay longer, beyond the next two years I have on my contract.”

Van Persie also praised Moyes, who he had allegedly fallen out with at the start of the campaign because of his rigorous training methods. “There is no doubt I’m learning new things and progressing with David Moyes,” he stated. “The sessions we have on the training ground are fantastic and I’m learning a lot from them every day.”

He then downplayed any issues between the pair, adding, “There is mutual respect between us and the work environment is actually good. He really wants things to work and I want the same.”

Van Persie has come in for some criticism over the last few weeks because of his poor performances. Against the likes of Olympiakos and West Bromwich Albion he looked disinterested and his understanding with his teammates looked to be non-existent. These issues were then exacerbated because of his off the field comments which appeared to criticize his fellow Manchester United teammates.

Some reports then suggested that not only did Van Persie want to leave Manchester United, but that the club were looking to get rid of an aging striker who had become a liability, too.

However, despite these concerns, there is no denying Van Persie’s attacking pedigree. The Dutch attacker’s 26 goals in 38 league appearances basically led Manchester United to the Premier League title last season, and with the likes of Adnan Januzaj, Wayne Rooney, and Juan Mata playing alongside him you have to assume that he will rekindle his goal-scoring touch imminently.

Yes, he is now the wrong-side of 30, but on his day he is still probably the most lethal centre forward in world football and it would cost dozens of millions of dollars to replace him with a player of equal caliber.

The confusion over Van Persie’s future at the club has probably also hampered his performances too, and this declaration could instigate a run of goal-scoring form that United fans will be praying starts against their bitter rivals, Liverpool, on Sunday.

[Image via carbonated.tv]