Whistle while Man U work! RVP’s in tune with Old Trafford pals
Posted Wednesday, February 06, 2013 by The Sun
VAN'S DRIVEN ... Robin is loving life at Manchester United
ROBIN VAN PERSIE admits he likes to whistle while he works because he has settled in so quickly to life at Manchester United.
The Dutch striker has hit the right notes ever since he arrived at Old Trafford in the summer and has already bagged 22 goals for the Premier League leaders.
RVP says he has felt in tune with his new team-mates and surroundings ever since he made the controversial £22million switch from Arsenal.
He said: “It’s gone as well as I’ve expected it to go.
“I go into work every day whistling — as from the first day they’ve made me feel welcome.
“The boys made me feel right at home. Training is really good and I see things I’ve not seen in a long time.
“It is a very pleasant environment to work in.
“Every day I work on new things. I have become alert to small details that make me better.”
As yet, there have been no sign of the injuries which wrecked so many of his seasons with the Gunners and he feels in great shape going into the final third of the season.
That is bad news for reigning champions Manchester City, who are nine points adrift of their local rivals.
Van Persie, 29, added: “This run of games without getting injured has only made me stronger.
“But I don’t want to talk about it, touch wood. I feel better and fitter. Really fit.
“In the last week I played Wednesday and Saturday.
“In those games I played with ease. I feel fit and recover quickly as lightning.”
United face Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid away next Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash.
RVP said: “The match against Madrid is the icing on the cake for every footballer.
“It will be my first game at the Bernabeu — and I’m really looking forward to it.
“It will be a very nice challenge with the group of players we have.
“Manchester United are a big club and being in the last 16 is already beautiful even without the prospect of playing Real Madrid.”
Dutch ace RVP says his clinical scoring exploits this season are partly thanks to compatriot Rene Meulensteen.
He feels the United first-team coach has helped him big time thanks to his innovative training methods and meticulous planning.
RVP added: “The way he trains is refreshing. He is truly one of the best coaches in the world.
“I’ve had a lot of good trainers, but it’s the way he prepares our team for games.
“Every match is different so every training session in build-up is unique.
“We know exactly what to expect. He wins points for us through his training.
“We’ve won a lot of games by the odd goal — they are point winners.
“Consider the game against Chelsea. I scored after a low cross from Antonio Valencia on the right.
“It might seem like a fluke, but the whole week before the game was spent working on that move.
“Another example is my goal against Wigan when I cut the ball inside and shot with my right foot — again this was a situation we trained on.”
Van Persie is in the Holland squad for tonight’s friendly with Italy at the Amsterdam ArenA.
He could line-up alongside Swansea’s Jonathan de Guzman who is set to win his first cap.
De Guzman said: “The call-up is a bonus. I’ve only just joined the team — now I have to show what I can do.”
The match could see RVP and Mario Balotelli come face-to-face again.
Balotelli scored twice for Milan against Udinese on his debut at the weekend after his switch from Manchester City last week.
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