Robin van Persie to miss start of Premier League season: Louis van Gaal

New Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal (L) with Robin van Persie

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has revealed that Robin van Persie will not start the Premier League season which gets underway on August 16th.

The Dutch striker is set to return to Carrington, United’s training facility, on Monday after his vacation post the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Red Devils play their first match of the season against Swansea at Old Trafford and even though Van Persie has said he wants to play, Van Gaal has said otherwise.

Van Persie needs to regain his fitness: Louis van Gaal

The Dutch manager said: “Robin wants to play every game, I know that, but so do the other 30 players in the squad. But players have to train and Robin needs a full training regime behind him before he can play again.”

Since Netherlands played 7 games at the World Cup, he wants to rest the Oranje skipper instead of rushing him back into action. He will not take part in the firendly matches either.

“Robin will begin training on Monday, but he won’t play in the friendly against Valencia on August 12, definitely not.”

“And he won’t play in the Premier League at the start either, I think. People can criticise me for that decision but I know what you have to do with players who have had three weeks’ holiday.

“Hopefully, Robin will get his fitness back very fast. But at this moment, he won’t be playing."