RVP to miss Premier League opener
Dutch striker Robin van Persie is set to miss Manchester United's opening Premier League match against Swansea City after being given an extended break after the World Cup.
Van Persie, 30, did not travel with United on their pre-season tour of the United States, and will not
appear in the final friendly against Valencia at Old Trafford on August 12, four days before their first
league match. Manager Louis van Gaal said his compatriot
would resume training on Monday and, having missed much of last season through injury, would
not be rushed back into the team before he reached full fitness.
"When a player has been on holiday for three weeks they have to train," van Gaal was reported as saying by British media.
"I'm sorry but players have to train and Robin needs a full training regime behind him before he
can play again. People can criticise me for my decision but I know what to do with players who have had three weeks' holiday.
"Hopefully, Robin will get his fitness back very fast but, for now, he won't play. Robin wants to play every game, I know that, but so do the other 30 players in the squad."