Robin van Persie is set to return for
Manchester United within 10 days after
completing two weeks of specialist fitness
work in his native Netherlands.
The striker has been working one-on-one
with PSV Eindhoven fitness coach Arno
Philips after suffering a thigh injury in
early December.
Van Persie has completed the final stage
of his rehabilitation and has now returned
to Manchester to resume training at
United’s Carrington headquarters.
Sources say a programme is in place for
the Dutchman to gradually build up his
football fitness before making his long-
awaited first-team return.
The Red Devils spearhead is not expected
to figure in the club’s league home match
against Swansea City on Saturday evening
but is likely to make his comeback when
they visit Chelsea eight days later.
Van Persie’s imminent return is a boost to
beleaguered United boss David Moyes,
who has not been able to call upon the
prolific striker for the team’s last eight
matches.
The 30-year-old’s second season at Old
Trafford has been interrupted by thigh,
toe and groin injuries but his record of 10
goals in 16 appearances demonstrates
what an asset he remains.
Van Persie was ruled out for a month by
Moyes after he injured his thigh taking
the corner that led to United’s winner
against Shakhtar Donetsk on December
10.
The forward has a good relationship with
Philips from their time working together
for the Dutch national team.
Philips is the fitness coach at PSV but he
also has wide experience of
physiotherapist and strength and
conditioning roles, often as a member of
Guus Hiddink’s backroom staff.
Van Persie worked with Philips last
October after picking up a toe injury on
international duty and is believed to have
insisted that his latest rehabilitation
would be monitored by his fellow
Dutchman, even though it was away from
United’s training base.
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