Robin van Persie has dismissed claims that he requires surgery to address an on-going knee issue and has warned Radamel Falcao that he will face a battle to win a place in Manchester United’s team.
Falcao, the Colombia striker, completed a season-long loan move to United in the early hours of yesterday, days after reports had emanated claiming Van Persie might need an operation on a knee that could rule him out for months.
Van Persie was out for 6½ weeks towards the end of last season after suffering sprained knee ligaments. He picked up the problem during the 3-0 win over Olympiakos in the second leg of United’s Champions League Round of 16 at Old Trafford in March, when the Holland striker scored a hat-trick.
There have been suggestions that Van Persie has been bothered by his knee ever since, but the Dutchman – who was also hampered by toe, groin and thigh problems last term - rejected talk of him facing an extended spell on the sidelines as “complete nonsense” and told Falcao that he will not give up his place lightly.
“I am impressed that people have the imagination to invent something like that,” Van Persie told Foxsports.nl. “I don’t know where it comes from and I can promise that I’m not going to hospital to have an operation.
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Van Persie said he welcomed the increased competition for places that Falcao’s arrival at Old Trafford will bring. Louis van Gaal also has Wayne Rooney and James Wilson to pick from. Wilson’s route to the first team has been cleared by Danny Welbeck’s departure to Arsenal for £16 million.“I welcome his arrival, he makes us better,” Van Persie said. “At a top club you should always go for the best, which also fits my philosophy.
“It is up to Falcao to fight for his place, as I have to as well. The two of us, plus Wayne Rooney and James Wilson, we must all fight it out to see who plays.”