Strong stuff, but do we believe him?
The Dutch striker’s future has been the subject of plenty of gossip in recent weeks, with his on-pitch demeanour and comments in interviews suggesting that he was unhappy with life at Old Trafford and particularly with the management style of David Moyes.
The speculation came to a head after he was taken off after an off-colour performance during the 3-0 win over West Brom last weekend, a game in which he was lucky he wasn’t sent off for a nasty looking tackle on Steven Reid shortly after he had picked up a yellow card.
The fact that van Persie had remained quiet on the subject of his future suggested that there could be truth in the rumours that he wanted out, but in an exclusive interview for United’s official matchday programme United Review, which is quoted on the Manchester United website, he said he is happy at Old Trafford, is keen to extend his contract and blasted the media for making assumptions about his intentions without foundation.
“I don’t mind if my performances get dissected and people criticise what I’ve done on the pitch,” van Persie said.
“They can talk about my game 24/7 for all I care… and a lot of those opinions and criticisms may actually be right. So I don’t mind that.
“What I need to address are the situations when people are taking it upon themselves to think for me, make assumptions, or interpret things as if they are me. Last time I checked my head was still attached to my body, so I’m the only one who knows exactly what I’m feeling and that is not what I or the fans have been reading.
“The truth is I’m very happy here at this club. I signed for four years and I’d be delighted to stay even longer, beyond the next two years I have left on my contract. This is how I feel, although it’s not what has been suggested in the media.”
Van Persie also addressed suggestion that he wasn’t happy with David Moyes’ management style, borne out by recent comments about him being unhappy that players were operating in his zones and that he scrutinises his coaches and managers more now than he did at any point in his career.
“I’m very happy with my team-mates and I’m very happy with my manager and his staff,” van Persie added.
“The sessions we have on the training ground are fantastic and I’m learning a lot from them every day. I’ve been a professional footballer for 12 years now and there’s no doubt I’m learning new things and progressing with David Moyes.
“Like I said, talk about my performances or talk about a tackle that was too late. I don’t mind. But it goes too far when people start suggesting, amongst other things, that I have a bad understanding with the manager. That’s not true at all.
“Over the last few years I’ve started to look more closely at the way coaches work to learn from them – not just here at the club but with the international team as well. I’ve worked with some brilliant coaches and I’ve taken a real interest in all the methods they use and the choices they make.
“I can tell you that Moyes’ sessions and the things he says in his team meetings are spot-on. I really enjoy working under him and I’m absolutely convinced things will pick up and we’ll turn it around.
“There is mutual respect between us and the work environment is actually good. He really wants things to work here at Manchester United and I want the same, just like the other players. We’re all working hard to make this work.”
