Former Manchester United striker denies retirement

 

Robin van Persie has been forced to deny he has suffered a career-ending cruciate knee ligament injury.

 

The former Manchester United striker picked up a knee injury during Holland’s 4-0 defeat to France during the first week of the international break.

 

Reports emerged suggesting the 34-year-old will be sidelined for the next 12 months after tearing his cruciate knee ligaments, but Van Persie has taken to social media to refute those claims.

 

“I would like to make this brief statement with the intention to rectify news spread concerning myself,” he wrote in a statement posted on his official Twitter account.

 

“I regret that any statements about my injury have been made without my consent and approval.

 

“At this moment, I have a minor knee injury which has an average recovery time of three weeks.

 

“This is the conclusion of several knee specialists that come highly recommended, based on scans, clinical tests and the fact I could resume the match after the moment the injury happened.

 

“I am looking forward to being back on the training pitch soon.”

 

Former Manchester United striker denies retirement

 

Van Persie, who is the Netherland’s all-time leading goalscoring (50), was making his first international appearance in nearly two years but his return did not go to plan.

 

Since August 2015, only Hugo Rodallega (27) and Deniz Kadah (26) have missed more clear-cut opportunities in the Turkish Super Lig than Van Persie (22).