• World Cup

Van Persie: Injury problems may help Dutch

ESPN staff
May 30, 2014
Robin van Persie suffered a knee injury last season for Manchester United © PA Photos
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Robin van Persie is hoping his inability to play a full season with Manchester United will work to the Netherlands' advantage at the World Cup.

Van Persie suffered a knee injury in the Champions League win against Olympiakos in March, and missed a large part of the remainder of the season.

The striker also missed the majority of December and January with thigh problems, and was absent through injury as United exited the FA Cup against Swansea, the Capital One Cup against Sunderland and the Champions League against Bayern Munich.

Van Persie is currently preparing for the World Cup with future United boss Louis van Gaal. The 2010 World Cup runners-up are based in Portugal, and he is now fully focused on Brazil.

"We've had not had an easy season at United, after it all was shiny before," Van Persie told kicker.

"That's professional football. For the first time in my career, I will not play in Europe. But right now I don't think about Manchester. I am focused on the national team and the World Cup."

Van Persie admitted that the enforced break in the later stages of the Premier League season might now be a benefit for him.

"I feel fine. I've already begun to build up my fitness in Premier League. And this positive development has continued throughout the training camp," Van Persie added.

"I'd say I am at 100%. We've still got the friendlies against Ghana and Ecuardor coming up, and I also need them.

"Mentally, I am ready. I feel fresh; maybe even better than if I had played a full season in England."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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