Fergie expects van Persie to start EPL opener
Source: Agencies |
August 17, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MANCHESTER United manager Alex Ferguson is hopeful new signing Robin van Persie will play in his side's Premier League opener against Everton on Monday after a medical yesterday.
"The fee has been agreed, which we're delighted about," Ferguson said. The Dutch striker was signed from Arsenal on Wednesday for a reported fee of 24 million pounds (US$37.67 million).
"He's on his way here from London to have a medical later. Hopefully, that goes according to plan. We hope he will be available for Monday night," Ferguson added. "It's great to have a player of the quality of Robin van Persie coming into the squad. I'm very pleased."
The 29-year-old Dutch international scored 37 goals last season as Arsenal finished third in the league and reached the last 16 of the Champions League. He refused to sign a new contract, saying he wasn't happy with the direction the club was heading.
Arsenal hasn't won a trophy since 2005 and has been unable to keep hold of its leading players in recent seasons, with midfielders Cesc Fabregas joining Barcelona and no fewer than four players have left for Premier League champion Manchester City - Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and Gael Clichy - since 2009.
If United completes the signing of Van Persie, he will join a star-studded strikeforce that already includes England internationals Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck, Mexico forward Javier Hernandez and former Bulgaria international Dimitar Berbatov.
Berbatov would be the player likely to make way for van Persie, as United looks to regain the English title from City.
"It is a great boost going into the new season," said United midfielder Michael Carrick. "He is a world-class player and we have always been about bringing in players of that ability. Can it make the difference between second and first? There wasn't much difference (last season) so hopefully we can go that step further."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has already planned for a future without van Persie by signing France striker Olivier Giroud and Germany forward Lukas Podolski in the close season.
"The fee has been agreed, which we're delighted about," Ferguson said. The Dutch striker was signed from Arsenal on Wednesday for a reported fee of 24 million pounds (US$37.67 million).
"He's on his way here from London to have a medical later. Hopefully, that goes according to plan. We hope he will be available for Monday night," Ferguson added. "It's great to have a player of the quality of Robin van Persie coming into the squad. I'm very pleased."
The 29-year-old Dutch international scored 37 goals last season as Arsenal finished third in the league and reached the last 16 of the Champions League. He refused to sign a new contract, saying he wasn't happy with the direction the club was heading.
Arsenal hasn't won a trophy since 2005 and has been unable to keep hold of its leading players in recent seasons, with midfielders Cesc Fabregas joining Barcelona and no fewer than four players have left for Premier League champion Manchester City - Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and Gael Clichy - since 2009.
If United completes the signing of Van Persie, he will join a star-studded strikeforce that already includes England internationals Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck, Mexico forward Javier Hernandez and former Bulgaria international Dimitar Berbatov.
Berbatov would be the player likely to make way for van Persie, as United looks to regain the English title from City.
"It is a great boost going into the new season," said United midfielder Michael Carrick. "He is a world-class player and we have always been about bringing in players of that ability. Can it make the difference between second and first? There wasn't much difference (last season) so hopefully we can go that step further."
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has already planned for a future without van Persie by signing France striker Olivier Giroud and Germany forward Lukas Podolski in the close season.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
