Soccer

Robin van Persie declares himself fit for Manchester derby

Dutch striker may struggle for a starting place after missing last six games

Robin van Persie has declared himself fit for Sunday’s Manchester derby. He last played against Swansea City on February 21st where he picked up an ankle injury. Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images
Robin van Persie has declared himself fit for Sunday’s Manchester derby. He last played against Swansea City on February 21st where he picked up an ankle injury. Photograph: John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images
Wed Apr 08 2015 - 18:51

Robin van Persie has declared himself fit for Sunday’s Manchester derby after missing United’s last six games following an ankle injury he suffered in the 2-1 defeat at Swansea on February 21st.

Manager Louis van Gaal said last week he did not expect the striker to be fit enough to return for Sunday’s game against Manchester City at Old Trafford, but Van Persie reported good news for United fans on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old tweeted: “Back to training with the group today. Was a great session. Happy to be fit and able to play again. Looking forward to my next game!”

Even if Van Gaal considers Van Persie to be fit to take part in the derby, it is hard to see how the former Arsenal front man would fit into the starting XI.

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United have hardly missed the Dutchman, who has scored just 10 goals this term. During his absence, the Red Devils have only lost once, against his former employers Arsenal in the FA Cup.

United have recorded creditable victories over Tottenham and Liverpool and last Saturday they moved above City into third with a 3-1 win over Aston Villa.

Wayne Rooney scored a stunning volley during the win. The United skipper has performed well up front in a 4-3-3 formation alongside Ashley Young and Juan Mata, who scored both goals in the 2-1 win at Anfield two-and-a-half weeks ago.

Marouane Fellaini has also provided able and robust support from midfield.

Victory for United this weekend would pile more misery on out-of-form City and improve Van Gaal’s chances of achieving his target of Champions League qualification.

Once he returns from his summer break, he is likely to take United on a shortened pre-season tour, with the most likely destination the United States, it has emerged.

Van Gaal made no secret of his annoyance at United’s pre-season schedule last summer.

United had already committed themselves to a three-week long tour that took in five matches across five American cities by the time Van Gaal took over as manager.

United travelled almost 13,500 miles on the trip, which included games in Los Angeles, Denver, Detroit, Washington DC and Miami – all against high-profile opposition.

This summer’s tour is expected to see United take on fewer opponents and undertake less travel. The trip will have to be over a shorter period of time too as the Premier League season begins on August 8th, just eight weeks after the end of the international break.

It is understood that Van Gaal will sign off plans for the tour in the coming weeks.