Dutch striker Robin van Persie returned from a groin injury for Manchester United today, but he could not prevent a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
- By Michael Bell
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Van Persie had not featured since netting the winner for United in a 1-0 win over former club Arsenal back on November 10th, but was named in the starting eleven today, amid rumours of a transfer request.
The Dutchman was clearly not fully fit as his side slumped to their second defeat in a row against a well organised Newcastle United side. Van Persie did have the ball in the net late in the second half, but his header was rightly chalked off for offside.
Newcastle named Dutchmen Tim Krul, and Vurnon Anita in their starting eleven, with both putting in excellent performances, as Yohan Cabaye’s second half strike lifted them up to sixth in the league.
Krul once again put in a faultless goalkeeping performance, and made decent saves when called upon. Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal will have a difficult decision to make in the summer over who starts between the posts at the World Cup.
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