Manchester United star Robin van Persie free to play wherever he wants

Posted Saturday, February 01, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

DAVID MOYES will let Robin Van Persie decide when and where he plays between now and the end of the season.

FREEDOM OF OLD TRAFFORD: Manchester United forward Robin van Persie has been told by David Moyes he can play wherever he wants

Van Persie has just returned to action following a two month spell on the sidelines with a thigh problem.

The Dutchman made a goalscoring comeback in Manchester United’s midweek win over Cardiff and will be crucial to Moyes’s hopes of securing a top four finish.

Moyes admits he has to be careful with Van Persie’s fitness and make sure he doesn’t break down again.

He is so desperate to get the best out of Van Persie between now and May that he will let the striker tell him when he is available for selection.

Moyes, whose side travel to Stoke today, said: “Most of the time I’ve taken Robin’s advice.

“I’ve asked him where he feels he is at and if he’s ready to play. I’ve spoken to him about how he feels and for how long he thinks he can play.

“Nearly all the things I’m doing, I’m taking the lead from Robin. Even prior to his injury I would listen to what he’s got to say.

I WANT TO PLAY THERE BOSS: David Moyes admits that most of the time he takes van Persie's advice on where to play him

Manchester United star Robin van Persie free to play wherever he wants “He’s a player that’s so important to us that I need to know exactly where he’s at.

“I think we’ve had some very good performances this season that haven’t been reported on.

“But we won the other night and I thought we did okay, but the difference was I won because I had Robin Van Persie in the team.

“He’s somebody who can score, somebody who can make a difference and get you that winning goal.

“I think we’ve missed that, when maybe you are not quite playing at your best but somebody can get you that goal and we’ve not had Robin for almost three months really. It’s been quite tough.”

Moyes, meanwhile, admits he still has a massive job to do at United despite the record signing of Juan Mata.

United broke their transfer record to land Mata from Chelsea in a £37.1m deal and his arrival has eased the pressure on Moyes.

But the United boss admits there is still a long way to go before he can lure other big-name signings and make the team a world force again.

Moyes, who will welcome back Marouane Fellaini to his squad following a wrist operation, added: “We need to give Juan Mata time to settle in.

“But I feel as if it’s still a big job. If I could have got another player in then great, but it wasn’t the case and I want to make the right signings if I can and get people in who will make a real difference.”