Louis van Gaal has confirmed Robin
van Persie will miss Manchester
United's opening game of the new
Premier League season against Swansea
City.
Van Persie has been on holiday since
helping the Netherlands to finish third
at the World Cup in Brazil last month
and will return to training on Monday.
He has sat out United's pre-season tour
of the United States and he will also
miss the club's final friendly against
Valencia at Old Trafford.
New United boss van Gaal has also
decided that he will not call on the 30-
year-old for the visit of Swansea on the
opening day of the Premier League
campaign on August 16.
"Robin will begin training on Monday
but he won't play against Valencia,
definitely not," said van Gaal. "He
won't play in the Premier League
either.
"When a player has been on holiday for
three weeks they have to train.
"I'm sorry but players have to train and
Robin needs a full training regime
behind him before he can play again.
"People can criticise me for my decision
but I know what to do with players who
have had three weeks' holiday.
"Hopefully, Robin will get his fitness
back very fast but, for now, he won't
play.
"Robin wants to play every game, I
know that, but so do the other 30
players in the squad."
Meanwhile, van Gaal has questioned the
merit of United playing friendlies
during the season to make up for the
absence of European football in the
coming campaign.
He added: "We have discussed that
already and have to wait and see if we
have the chance to play matches but I
think the first 10 weeks we have to
train.
"After that it is different but it also
depends on the opponent. It has to be a
good opponent.
"At least in America it is a good
tournament with good opposition."
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