Palace snub a shock for RVP
LOUIS VAN GAAL’S ruthless streak came to the fore again at the weekend when he left Robin van Persie out of his squad for the game at Crystal Palace despite the Dutch striker insisting he was fit and ready to play.
Manchester United manager Van Gaal didn’t include Van Persie in the 18-man squad that eventually ntually prevailed 2-1 at Selhurst Park, saying he had been suffering ng from a virus.
However, Van Persie told friends on Saturday afternoon that he was ‘absolutely fine’ and was disappointed not to have played.
It is understood that Vann Persie had indeed missed a day’s training earlier lastast week after picking up a bug that Van Gaal himself hadd beenb suffering from for a couple of days.
But the 31-year-old was fit enough to train fully on Friday and travelled to London that evening expecting to be involved the next day. When he wasn’t included, he was left bemused, according to those close to him.
Van Gaal’s decision provides more evidence of his absolute refusal to pick players if they haven’t had a full week’s training in the lead-up to a game.
The United coach’s policy has left other players frustrated this season, with striker Radamel Falcao believing he has been fit to play on occasions when Van Gaal has decreed otherwise.
‘Being fit and being fit enough to play for me is not the same thing,’ Van Gaal said earlier this season. The only player to be occasionally exempt from Van Gaal’s selection practicespracti is Wayne Rooney. As Van Gaal’s captain, Rooney is an automatic pick for everye Barclays Premier LeagueL game unless he is obviously injured.
That apart, players must train regularly with thet first-team squad if theyt are to play. That is theth reason players such as Van Persie, Falcao, Luke Shaw,Shaw Jonny Evans and MichaelMichae Carrick have found themselves on Under 21 duty at times this season.
Nonetheless, Van Persie is happy to stay at United next season, as recently revealed by Sportsmail.
The former Arsenal forward believes next season — the last on his contract — will be more productive than this one, given he has suffered injury over recent months, and that United’s return to European football will give him more opportunities to play.