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Van Persie: I'm fit to fight Falcao for place

Robin van Persie failed to score as Manchester United drew 0-0 with Burnley last Saturday © Getty Images

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Robin van Persie has rejected suggestions he needs knee surgery and vowed to fight for his place in the Manchester United line-up after the arrival of Radamel Falcao.

Van Persie was claimed to be facing a spell on the sidelines because he had ignored an injury at the World Cup when United signed Falcao in a deadline-day loan deal from Monaco.

But the Dutchman, who has struggled with injuries throughout his career, rejected the suggestion that he was overdue surgery.

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Angel Di Maria was a British record signing © Getty Images

• Louis van Gaal has thanked Manchester United's owners for backing him in the transfer market despite his difficult start to life at Old Trafford. The club spent £150 million in the summer transfer window as the Dutchman started to rebuild the squad and the overhaul looks set to continue in January.
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"I am impressed that people come pick up the imagination to invent something like that," Van Persie told Fox Sports NL.

"I do not know where it comes from and can say with my hand on my heart that I won't be in a hospital to have the operation."

Falcao cost Monaco £48 million 12 months ago and has scored 155 goals in his last 200 club games during spells at Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco.

His arrival has prompted questions over whether or not he, Van Persie and Wayne Rooney can all fit into the same side.

But Van Persie insisted he was happy to be joined at Old Trafford by the Colombia striker.

"I welcome his arrival, he makes us better," Van Persie said. "At a top club you should always go for the best, which also fits my philosophy. Falcao must fight for his place, as I also have to"

Van Persie scored 48 goals in his first two seasons at United but is yet to get off the mark for the current campaign.

The 31-year-old captained the Netherlands at the World Cup under new United manager Louis van Gaal, but was overlooked when Rooney was chosen to skipper the former Premier League champions this season.

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