Van Gaal: Van Persie is not match fit

Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal believes the risk of exacerbating Robin van Persie’s injuries were a concern and he did not fancy playing him in the upcoming international fixtures against Japan and Columbia.

Van Persie scored a winner against his former club Arsenal on Sunday but had to withdraw from the Dutch squad due to strains to his groin and toe. The 30-year-old was replaced in the last 10 minutes by Marouane Fellaini.

“It will be different with other players this time, especially with another striker,” Gaal told reporters. “When we played Turkey, Van Persie also wasn’t 100 per cent per cent, but because he’s an important player, he was there anyway.

“Van Persie called me on Sunday and we discussed the situation. He didn’t really have a holiday this summer, because he had to go to Asia with United. He just went on and on.

“It’s smart to keep in mind what that does to a player. Even if we had an important match, I wouldn’t have played him this time.”

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