• Premier League

Moyes confident Van Persie will stay

ESPN staff
March 14, 2014
Van Persie hoping for new United deal

David Moyes is confident Manchester United will offer Robin van Persie a new deal and welcomed the striker's declaration that he wants to stay at Old Trafford.

Van Persie had denied reports of a rift with manager Moyes and committed himself to the Premier League champions.

Having joined United from Arsenal in 2012, Van Persie is approaching the half-way mark of a four-year contract that is set to expire in 2016.

A bitter rivalry

Manchester United beat Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford last season © Getty Images
  • David Moyes insists Manchester United against Liverpool is still the biggest fixture in England.
  • Even though his side are sixth in the Premier League and trail second-placed Liverpool by 11 points, Moyes knows the importance of the match.
  • He said: "It would be a big boost to win. It's still the biggest game in the country and we'll do everything we possibly can to beat them."

But Moyes feels United will want to extend it, saying: "He has a couple of years [left] on his contract and I am sure that is something the board will look at."

Moyes, too, insisted the rumours that Van Persie is unhappy were untrue, adding: "I've been telling you that [he's staying] but you've wanted to say or write something different.

"It's difficult if you don't believe what I say. Robin is happy here and I'm pleased about that. I didn't know what was coming out - I've only just heard this morning [Friday] about it."

Van Persie, who has scored 14 goals this season, has joined Wayne Rooney in pledging his future to United.

Rooney recently signed a new five-and-a-half year contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2019 and Moyes believes he has a strike force that is the envy of every other club.

He said: "I've always said we've got two outstanding forwards in Wayne and Robin. Both have capabilities of winning games off their own back. They're both pivotal international players and the sort of players any side in the world would want in their team.

"I'm delighted to have both of them and, more importantly, that they both want to be Manchester United players."

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