EMBATTLED MANCHESTER UNITED boss David Moyes has emphatically rejected a claim by Mark Lawrenson that Robin van Persie had asked to leave Old Trafford.
The football pundit had suggested that van Persie could leave the club in January after handing in a transfer request. Speaking after United’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle this afternoon, Moyes told a post-match press briefing there was not a shred of truth in the rumours.
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He declared: “That is absolute nonsense. I don’t know what harder or tougher word I could say but that’s as good as I’ve got.”
The Dutch international has not featured since the 1-0 win over Arsenal last month due to a groin problem and is a doubt for this afternoon’s Premier League meeting with Newcastle.
However, speaking to Matt Cooper on Today FM’s The Last Word yesterday, former Ireland defender Lawrenson claimed there could be more to his absence than injury.
“There are all sorts of rumours coming out of the training ground at the moment and one of them from the press boys that I know who cover Manchester United are even saying that the big risk for them is that Van Persie might have asked for a transfer the other night on Tuesday,” Lawrenson said.
If that happens what a mess it would be for David Moyes. This is the Van Persie that David Moyes insisted was going to be the number one which is what put Wayne Rooney’s nose out of joint.
“I seriously don’t know. You know the problem with Van Persie and Manchester United at the moment because Ferguson said he would stay for three more years but left after one and Van Persie has gone into the Dutch mode of sulking. It’s a real problem.”
Under Moyes, United currently sit ninth in the Premier League table with 22 points from 15 games.
Moyes rejects Lawrenson claims of RVP transfer request as ‘absolute nonsense’
Updated 18:10
EMBATTLED MANCHESTER UNITED boss David Moyes has emphatically rejected a claim by Mark Lawrenson that Robin van Persie had asked to leave Old Trafford.
The football pundit had suggested that van Persie could leave the club in January after handing in a transfer request. Speaking after United’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle this afternoon, Moyes told a post-match press briefing there was not a shred of truth in the rumours.
He declared: “That is absolute nonsense. I don’t know what harder or tougher word I could say but that’s as good as I’ve got.”
The Dutch international has not featured since the 1-0 win over Arsenal last month due to a groin problem and is a doubt for this afternoon’s Premier League meeting with Newcastle.
However, speaking to Matt Cooper on Today FM’s The Last Word yesterday, former Ireland defender Lawrenson claimed there could be more to his absence than injury.
“There are all sorts of rumours coming out of the training ground at the moment and one of them from the press boys that I know who cover Manchester United are even saying that the big risk for them is that Van Persie might have asked for a transfer the other night on Tuesday,” Lawrenson said.
“I seriously don’t know. You know the problem with Van Persie and Manchester United at the moment because Ferguson said he would stay for three more years but left after one and Van Persie has gone into the Dutch mode of sulking. It’s a real problem.”
Under Moyes, United currently sit ninth in the Premier League table with 22 points from 15 games.
– First posted at 10:25
Listen to the full interview on The Last Word here
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David Moyes Mark Lawrenson Robin van Persie Speculation Manchester United Transfer Request