. Manchester United striker Robin van Persie is determined to fight for his place in the starting line-up, but insists that the final decision rests with the club.
The 31-year-old striker has had a dismal season with the Red Devils and has managed to score only 10 goals in the 2014-15 campaign. The Dutchman, who has been plagued with injuries throughout his career has started in only 26 games last season and his future at Old Trafford remains in doubts.
It was his lowest scoring season in the Premier League since 2009-10, when he was at Arsenal, and recent reports have suggested that United are willing to listen to offers for the former Feyenoord forward. Van Persie has been linked with a move to Serie A with Juventus reported considering a bid for him if Carlos Tevez leaves the Turin based club this summer. But the Dutchman has insisted that he remains calm and is prepared to fight for his place in the starting line-up.
a Am I worried?. No, Ia m totally relaxed. I have a contract with this club until 2016.
a Things could change now, but that all depends on Manchester United not me. Believe me, Ia m relaxed a Ia m not going to be part of a puppet show.a a The Manchester United striker said in an interview.
The former Arsenal captain, who played a significant role in Uniteda s title winning campaign in 2012-13, has also stated his desire to extend his career for eight more years and is unwilling to set down from the top level in the near future.
a In August Ia m 32. But I still have the ambition to play for another eight years.
a In a few yearsa time I may have to accept that I will no longer play at the very highest level. I dona t think that moment is coming now. I still feel very, very fit.
a Playing in the first-team is very important for me. This is why I will probably step down one level when I am 36 or 37. But not now.
a Whenever I have been fit at United I was playing in the first team all the time. People talk about my injuries, but Ia ve only had one this season.
a Ia ve seen too many players quit early. Most of them regret this soon after. Ia ve seen those players in the national team and at my own clubs. Even big legends have regretted their retirement. Look at Paul Scholes.
a He did quit the game but he kept training and was missing football so much, because he knew he was still capable of playing at that level.a a Van Persie added.
With Falcao joining Chelsea, Robin van Persie would expect more appearances in the starting line-up next season, but he will once again face competition as Manchester United have been linked with a move for the likes of Harry Kane and Mario Mandzukic. United manager Louis van Gaal also changed his system in the second half of the season to play Wayne Rooney as the lone striker, which has forced Robin van Persie further down the pecking order.
It seems unlikely that the Dutchman remain at Old Trafford next season if Man United manages to sign another striker in the summer. Van Persie is unlikely to settle for a role on the bench, as he has stated earlier, with the European Championship looming large in the horizon.
