Moyes hopes for new RVP deal

Robin van Persie looks set to stay at Manchester United for the foreseeable future
15 March 2014

David Moyes expects the Manchester United board to consider handing Robin van Persie a new contract after the striker expressed his desire to stay with the club.

Van Persie has been linked with a move away from United following rumours that he was unhappy with life under Moyes.

The Dutchman scotched that speculation on Thursday night, insisting he is content at Old Trafford.

The former Arsenal striker said he would like to extend his current deal beyond 2016 and Moyes thinks that is something the United hierarchy would be interested in.

"It's nice of Robin (to say he is happy to stay)," the United manager said.

"He is happy here and we are very pleased about that.

"He has a couple of years to go on his contract and I am sure that (an extension) is something the board will look at."

Moyes has always maintained that Van Persie was settled at United, but rumours have persisted that the player wanted to leave.

The United manager was, therefore, happy to have put all the speculation to bed.

"I have been telling you that (he is happy) but you don't believe what I say," the Scot said.

Moyes cut a relaxed figure as he addressed the media at the AON Training Complex in Carrington on Friday afternoon.

Although Van Persie's declaration that he is happy at the club comes as a boost, Moyes knows his mood will darken if United lose on Sunday against arch-rivals Liverpool.

While United have struggled this term, their old foes have performed above expectations and they now sit second in the Barclays Premier League.

Moyes therefore believes Brendan Rodgers' men go into the match as favourites.

"Their league position suggests they are ahead of us and they possibly do come here favourites," he said.

Although Moyes has only been at Old Trafford since last summer, he is well aware of what the match means for the two sets of fans.

"It has been a great rivalry between the two clubs," Moyes added. "Liverpool are having a very good season and we have to do everything we possibly can to beat them."

When asked whether the game was the biggest in the country, Moyes added: "I think it is. There has been great history between the two clubs over a long period.

"I think it's the biggest club game in the Premier League.

"To win would be a big boost. It would be an important three points."

United lost 1-0 in the reverse fixture in September but they defeated Liverpool in the Capital One Cup three weeks later.

Javier Hernandez scored the winner that day, and the Mexican is in contention for Sunday's game after he made encouraging progress in his return from a knee injury he suffered on international duty last week.

When asked about the possibility of Hernandez, and fellow injury doubts Jonny Evans and Rafael playing, Moyes said: "They're all doing fine and coming on (well). Hopefully they'll all be in with a chance of playing."

One player who also stands a chance of featuring this weekend is winger Nani, who has not been available since he suffered a hamstring injury on December 7.

"He's back," Moyes said.

"He had a really bad hamstring injury. He's back and has trained. Hopefully we get him up to speed very quickly."

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