Van Hooijdonk: Manchester United have to appoint Van Gaal to keep Robin van Persie

Robin Van Persie has been hit by injuries time and again this season

Pierre Van Hooijdonk has claimed that the only way Manchester United will be able to keep Robin Van Persie at the club would be to dispense with the services of David Moyes and appoint Louis Van Gaal as manager of the club.

Manchester United have been planning contract talks with Van Persie in the hope of extending the Dutch striker’s stay at Old Trafford, but it is believed that he is unsettled with life under Moyes and considering seeking an exit from the club, with a move to Serie A a possibility.

Van Gaal is reportedly seeking employment in the Premier League once he has fulfilled his World Cup duties with Holland this summer and former Nottingham Forest striker Van Hooijdonk firmly believes that United should bring him to Old Trafford if they wish to keep Van Persie on the books.

Van Hooijdonk told reporters, “Let me tell you one thing: if Van Gaal becomes manager of Manchester United, Van Persie will stay.

“Louis will bring in a number of top players and he will create a whole new team for United – which we can see is necessary.”

Van Persie currently has two years left to run on his contract at United, but reportedly has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave the club should they miss out on Champions League football.