Robin van Persie unsure about his Manchester United future

Striker has a deal at Old Trafford until mid- 2016 but admits he is struggling for form

Robin van Persie takes to the pitch against Cambride United last weekend. “For the moment I am staying here for 18 months. That is it really.” Photo: Julian Finney/Getty
Robin van Persie takes to the pitch against Cambride United last weekend. “For the moment I am staying here for 18 months. That is it really.” Photo: Julian Finney/Getty

Robin van Persie says he is unsure what will happen regarding his long-term future at Manchester United.

Van Persie’s contract expires in summer 2016, with the striker revealing he does not know what will happen after that.

“It is not up to me,” said the 31-year-old. “For the moment I am staying here for 18 months. That is it really. I can’t look into the future. I don’t know what is going to happen after that. We shall have to wait and see.”

Van Persie also admits he is unhappy at his form this season, with the forward managing only eight goals in 25 appearances.

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Louis van Gaal’s team have also struggled to score recently, registering five times in their last six matches.

Van Persie believes all of the team have to accept responsibility for this and for an uneven campaign that has left them in fourth place in the league.

Own contribution

United also struggled to a 0-0 draw at Cambridge United in Friday evening’s FA Cup fourth tie, a match in which Van Persie missed a clear chance after coming on as replacement.

With Leicester City Saturday’s visitors for United’s next league fixture, the Dutch striker wants to improve his own contribution.

“Obviously we are not scoring enough goals, including me. I have to be honest,” said the striker. “ I am convinced that if we keep doing what we are doing, because we do create chances, if the strikers just take those chances that we are doing I think we have a chance of scoring again.

“Everyone in the team is responsible. Everyone feels responsible. I do definitely. This year I have played something like 20 [25]games and I have scored eight goals. I am not happy with that. I want to score more.”

In Van Persie’s first United season, the 2012-13 title winning year, he scored 30 for the club, and in last term’s injury-hampered campaign 18 were registered.

Asked why he is struggling so far this season, Van Persie said: “ It is a very thin line between scoring a load or goals and only a couple. I know what I have to do to create those opportunities. I will keep doing that. At the moment, it is not enough. I know that. . .”

Elsewhere, Arsenal are to complete the signing of Gabriel Paulista from Villarreal, subject to the player passing a medical, for around €15.1 million after the Brazilian was granted a work permit under the English Football Association’s “exceptional talent” guidelines.

Gabriel underwent medical tests at the club’s London Colney training complex yesterday afternoon with Arsenal hopeful the centre-half will be available for Sunday’s visit of Aston Villa to the Emirates Stadium. Guardian Service