Manchester United face an anxious wait to find out the severity of Robin van Persie’s knee injury, after an initial scan proved inconclusive.
Van Persie, 30, was injured in the 90th minute of United’s incredible comeback win over Olympiakos in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. RVP scored all three goals as United overturned a 2-0 first leg deficit to book their place in the quarterfinals, but Dutch international van Persie may now face a lengthy spell on the sidelines which would be a huge blow for David Moyes’ side.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Moyes confirmed that RVP will not play against West Ham United on Saturday (Watch live on NBCSN, 1:30 p.m. ET and online via Live Extra) and is getting another scan on his injured knee.
“We are getting him rescanned again today because there was nothing conclusive,” Moyes said. “He won’t be available for Saturday’s game at West Ham. We’ve got a lot of games coming up, we need to make sure that the squad’s ready for all the games. That’s big for us, that we have all our players fit and available.”
With Moyes’ men being drawn against reigning European champions Bayern Munich in the last eight of the UCL, it’s clear he isn’t going to take any risks when it comes to van Persie’s fitness. The Dutchman, as he did so often in the Premier League last season when United lifted the trophy, came up big when it truly mattered against Olympiakos to single-handedly drag his team to victory by bagging the match ball. But leaving the match on a stretcher wasn’t part of the plan.
However even if it’s just a routine knock, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to injuries like this. Especially when RVP is the man involved, as his form and fitness will be the key if United are to stun Bayern and reach the Champions League semifinals.
Wrap that man up in cotton wool, Moyesy.
