RVP left on crutches to add injury to insult

ROBIN VAN PERSIE hobbled out of the Liberty Stadium yesterday on crutches with his right leg and foot in a cast.

The Dutch striker (left) picked up an injury late on in Manchester United’s defeat to Swansea City. He stayed on the field because United had already made all three substitutions.

Louis van Gaal said: ‘We dominated the game even with 10 men because Van Persie could not run any more after the injury.’

The United manager insisted that the Welsh side did not deserve their win, which came after a long range effort from Jonjo Shelvey was deflected in off Bafetimbi Gomis.

‘We created a chance every two minutes in the second half and they had one chance,’ he said. ‘We were dominating the game. In one counter a shot [from Shelvey] deflected and maybe Gomis is in an offside position. So we are not happy and not lucky.’

There was a whiff of sour grapes about Van Gaal’s review of a game in which Swansea had six shots on goal to United’s three.

‘It is always frustrating when you lose after dominating a team. Your disappointment is much bigger. It’s amazing we have lost. But you do lose games.

‘We have only lost to Southampton [since September].

‘We were the better team. But against Burnley [when United won 3-1] we were not, so it’s the benefit of football that the result is unpredictable.’

Swansea manager Garry Monk said: ‘I’d rather be lucky than good. Yes we had to ride some pressure, but all their pressure amounted to one shot. We got a fantastic goal and probably could have got a third.’

The Swans have now done the double over United this season.

‘It’s the first time in the club’s history,’ said Monk. ‘I told the players before the game — creating history is worth fighting for. Everyone connected to club should be proud of it.’