ROBIN VAN PERSIE insists he has no intention of leaving Manchester United this summer and believes he can continue to play at the highest level for at least another four years.

Real Madrid are understood to have enquired over the availability of the Dutchman, who scored just 10 goals in 27 Premier League appearances last season and enters the final year of his contract this summer.

United’s decision not to sign Radamel Falcao after an ill-fated loan spell amid concerns that injuries had cut short his prime raised similar questions over the future of Van Persie, but the 31-year-old is adamant he still has plenty to offer.

“Am I worried? No, I’m totally relaxed,” he told reporters. “I have a contract with this club until 2016.

“Things could change now, but that all depends on Manchester United not me. Believe me, I’m relaxed – I’m not going to be part of a puppet show.

“In August I’m 32. But I still have the ambition to play for another eight years. In a few years’ time I may have to accept that I will no longer play at the very highest level. I don’t think that moment is coming now. I still feel very, very fit.

“Playing in the first-team is very important for me. This is why I will probably step down one level when I am 36 or 37. But not now.

“Whenever I have been fit at United I was playing in the first team all the time. People talk about my injuries, but I’ve only had one this season.

“I’ve seen too many players quit early. Most of them regret this soon after. I’ve seen those players in the national team and at my own clubs. Even big legends have regretted their retirement. Look at Paul Scholes.

“He did quit the game but he kept training and was missing football so much, because he knew he was still capable of playing at that level.”

Originally published at 14.07

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