Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 10y

Manchester United's Robin van Persie not facing knee surgery

Robin van Persie has told Fox Sports NL that he does not need knee surgery and has vowed to fight for his place after the arrival of Radamel Falcao on Monday.

- Okwonga: How did Man Utd do in the window?

When United signed the Colombia striker on loan from Monaco, it was reported that the Dutchman would be sidelined.

But Van Persie, who has struggled with injuries at earlier points in his career, rubbished those theories: "I am impressed that people have the imagination to invent something like that.

"I do not know where it comes from and can say with my hand on my heart that I won't be in a hospital to have the operation."

Falcao cost Monaco 60 million euros 12 months ago and has scored 155 goals in his past 200 games for Porto, Atletico Madrid and the Ligue 1 club.

His arrival has prompted questions whether he, Van Persie and Wayne Rooney can all fit into the same side or one of them will be dropped.

But Van Persie said of Falcao, "I welcome his arrival, he makes us better. At a top club you should always go for the best, which also fits my philosophy.

"Falcao must fight for his place, as I also have to. We must duke with Wayne Rooney and James Wilson to see who's playing."

Van Persie scored 48 goals in his first two seasons at United but has yet to get off the mark for the current campaign.

The 31-year-old captained United manager Louis van Gaal's Netherlands team, which finished third in the World Cup, but was overlooked when Rooney was chosen to skipper the former Premier League champions.

^ Back to Top ^