• Premier League

Van Persie warns United 'have to improve'

ESPN staff
July 22, 2013
Moyes remains optimistic over transfer activity

Robin van Persie has warned Manchester United they have to get better if they want to retain their title.

The Dutchman was the Premier League's top scorer last year as United became champions for the 20th time but believes their rivals will raise their game in a bid to deny them a 21st title.

Van Persie came off the bench to score his first goal under new manager David Moyes in Saturday's 5-1 win over an A-League All Star XI and then said he expects a stronger challenge from teams such as Manchester City and Chelsea in the forthcoming campaign.

"We have to improve to stay ahead of them because over the last few years the English league has become better and better," he is quoted as saying in the Guardian. "Every single team has got harder to beat. Everyone wants to be successful. Moyes wants to be successful. He has been working very hard and he has spoken to every single player individually."

Van Persie ended his long wait to win the Premier League in his debut season at Old Trafford but the former Arsenal captain insists his appetite for success was not sated by that.

He added: "I still have more years left and it's not like I am saying: 'Yeah, we won the league so that's me done'. I want more now. It makes me even more hungry. I was very hungry last year but now I am more hungry.

"I want to win more this time. The club wants to win more. Last year we won the league and that was great but this time we want to win the league and more as well."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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