Manchester United fret over double-injury blow to striker Robin van Persie after he picks up individual toe and groin knocks
The striker will play no part in the Netherlands' international friendlies against Chile and Germany after he was deemed unfit to compete
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Manchester United will be concerned with the news that Robin van Persie has been ruled out of both of Holland’s international friendlies against Japan and Colombia after picking up two separate injuries.
The Netherlands’ captain played 85 minutes for United against his former club Arsenal on Sunday, scoring the winning goal with a first-half header – his third goal against the Gunners since he left in 2012.
However, the Dutch Football Association confirmed that he was deemed unfit to participate in this week’s fixtures after picking up separate toe and groin injuries. The latter comes after rumours circulated on Sunday morning that he would miss the Premier league match at Old Trafford due to a groin injury, only to take to the field from the start of the match.
Should the injuries prove serious, van Persie could miss United’s next Premier League match against Cardiff a week on Sunday, with a tricky run of Bayer Leverkusen, Tottenham and Everton set to follow within a week.
United have not yet qualified from Champions League Group A following the lacklustre draw with Real Sociedad, and manager David Moyes will want his star-striker available for their remaining two fixtures against Leverkusen and Shakhtar Donetsk, which takes place in a month’s time.
Moyes is already without forward Danny Welbeck, although the England international could return in time for one of the Three Lions’ international friendlies against Chile or Germany, and should be back for the trip to Wales.
Feyenoord’s midfielder Jordy Clasie has also withdrawn from the squad with a bruised foot, while Norwich’s Leroy Fer, who scored the Canaries’ third goal in the 3-1 win over West Ham, and Davy Propper of Vitesse Arnhem have been called up as cover.
Propper has made an impressive start this season with Eredivisie leaders Vitesse and his inclusion represents his first call-up to the national squad. Manager Louis van Gaal has already had to replace former Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt due to injury, calling up Ajaz forward Siem de Jong for the double-header.
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