• Champions League

I'm being held back, says Van Persie

ESPN staff
February 26, 2014
Robin van Persie missed Manchester United's best opportunity towards the end © PA Photos
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Robin van Persie has criticised his team-mates for crowding him out and "occupying the spaces" he wants to play in.

The striker missed a good opportunity to score near the end of Manchester United's embarrassing 2-0 Champions defeat at Olympiakos on Tuesday night but insisted the team's style is inhibiting him.

"Our fellow players are sometimes occupying the spaces I want to play in," he told Dutch television channel NOS. "And when I see that it makes it difficult for me to come to those spaces as well.

"That forces me to adjust my runs, based on the position of my fellow players. Unfortunately, they're often playing in my zones. I think that's a shame."

On missing United's best opportunity of the night, Van Persie added: "I rushed that shot. That's a shame because I don't get a lot of chances so when you get one, you have to score."

Van Persie was rumoured to be unhappy at United but he has refused to blame new manager David Moyes for the team's serious struggles.

"He's working hard at it, and so are we," the striker said. "Sometimes we play well, but not all the time.

"We don't have luck on our side. It's easy to point the finger at someone, but I'm not like that. We have to do better ourselves."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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