Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 10y

Robin van Persie hints at United return

Robin van Persie has suggested he will feature for the first time this season when Manchester United visit Sunderland on Sunday.

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The striker was granted an extended break after the World Cup by manager Louis van Gaal, who was always adamant he would not consider the 31-year-old for Saturday's game against Swansea.

But Van Persie has been back in training for two-and-a-half weeks and suggested on Twitter that he will be involved at the Stadium of Light.

Van Persie scored 18 goals in his injury-hit second season at Old Trafford after striking 30 times in his debut campaign at the club.

The former Arsenal skipper wore the armband as Van Gaal's Dutch team finished third in the World Cup but was passed over for the United captaincy, which was given to his fellow forward Wayne Rooney.

In his absence, Javier Hernandez partnered Rooney in attack in the 2-1 defeat to Swansea in Van Gaal's first competitive game in charge.

Van Persie was one of nine players to miss the Swansea game and, while Michael Carrick and Luke Shaw are definitely unavailable for the game at Sunderland, they are waiting to see how many of the others can return.

Antonio Valencia has reportedly returned to training but Marouane Fellaini, who was used as substitute against Swansea, was pictured on crutches on Wednesday.

New signing Marcos Rojo will be available to make his debut after completing his 16 million-pound move from Sporting Lisbon.

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