Re: Save Our Dave Campaign: SOD
Van Pursie is on board...... today's MEN
By Stuart Mathieson
Van Persie: I'm staying at United for life, and Moyes can bring the trophies in
The Dutchman’s future has been the subject of fevered speculation in the wake of his Dutch TV interview which followed United’s calamitous Champions League first leg defeat against Olympiacos in Athens a fortnight ago.
Robin van Persie wants to stay a Red for life and has backed manager David Moyes to bring back the glory days to Old Trafford.
The Dutchman’s future has been the subject of fevered speculation in the wake of his Dutch TV interview which followed United’s calamitous Champions League first leg defeat against Olympiacos in Athens a fortnight ago.
In comments which were taken as criticism of both his team-mates and Moyes’ tactics, RVP said: “Our fellow players are sometimes occupying the spaces I want to play in. Unfortunately, they’re often playing in my zones. I think that’s a shame.”
Then at West Brom on Saturday, last season’s Golden Boot winner was substituted after surviving a potential red card. It was suggested he was unhappy with Moyes’ decision further fuelling doubts over his Old Trafford future.
There have been stories all season that the 30-year-old, who signed from Arsenal in the summer of 2012 for Sir Alex Ferguson, was disillusioned that Fergie had retired and was unsettled in the new Moyes regime.
But in Sunday’s match day United Review for the crucial Premier League clash with Liverpool, the striker issued a pledge of loyalty to the United cause.
“I don’t do a lot of interviews, so maybe it’s the case that when I do speak people want to turn it into something sensational. I don’t mind that – it’s part of the business we are in,” said RVP.
“I don’t mind if my performances get dissected and people criticise what I’ve done on the pitch. They can talk about my game 24/7 for all I care. A lot of those opinions and criticisms may actually be right. So I don’t mind that.
“What I need to address are the situations when people are taking it upon themselves to think for me, make assumptions, or interpret things as if they are me. I’m the only one who knows exactly what I’m feeling and that is not what I or the fans have been reading.
“The truth is I’m very happy here at this club. I signed for four years and I’d be delighted to stay even longer, beyond the next two years I have left on my contract. This is how I feel, although it’s not what has been suggested in the media.”
Van Persie will turn 31 in August and if he can nail down a new United contract to take him beyond his current deal that expires in 2016, it would mean him ending his career at Old Trafford.
“I’m very happy with my team-mates and I’m very happy with my manager and his staff,” van Persie added.
“The sessions we have on the training ground are fantastic and I’m learning a lot from them every day. I’ve been a professional footballer for 12 years now and there’s no doubt I’m learning new things and progressing with David Moyes.
“Over the last few years I’ve started to look more closely at the way coaches work to learn from them – not just here at the club but with the international team as well. I’ve worked with some brilliant coaches and I’ve taken a real interest in all the methods they use and the choices they make.
“And I can tell you that Moyes’ sessions and the things he says in his team meetings are spot-on. I really enjoy working under him and I’m absolutely convinced things will pick up and we’ll turn it around.
“I know I probably only see about 10 per cent of what’s written about me, but the things I have read recently aren’t based on the truth.
“Like I said, talk about my performances or talk about a tackle that was too late. I don’t mind. But it goes too far when people start suggesting, amongst other things, that I have a bad understanding with the manager. That’s not true at all.
“There is mutual respect between us and the work environment is actually good. He really wants things to work here at United and I want the same, just like the other players. We’re all working hard to make this work.”
