‘Moyes needs time’ – Van Persie backs Manchester United manager

The Dutch striker, who is currently recovering from a groin injury, is adamant the former Everton boss is capable of turning things around as long as he is given time to do so

Robin van Persie is adamant that David Moyes is the right man to manage Manchester United and is confident the under-pressure boss can mastermind a strong finish to the Premier League season.

The champions have struggled for consistency under their new manager, winning five of their last six league games but seeing that run punctuated by three successive defeats in three different competitions.

United currently trail fourth-place Liverpool by five points and are a further six adrift of table-topping Arsenal, but Van Persie, who will miss this weekend’s trip to Stamford Bridge for a grudge match against Chelsea with a groin injury, believes Moyes requires time to turn things around.

“Moyes needs time, he’s new,” said Van Persie, who returned to Manchester last week after a stint in his native Holland where he continued his rehabilitation from an injury that has kept him out since December 7. “The manager is our leading man and he will change things around.

“We lost too many points this year, but we are doing everything we can to change that.”

Although hopes of defending their Premier League crown appear to be all but over, Van Persie is keen to ensure the winning culture that was established under Sir Alex Ferguson is maintained under Moyes.

He added: “We are used to winning. If you win, it’s a normal day at the office. After the Community Shield win, none of the players really celebrated, or played music, as it was the way things were.”