Moyes grateful for Van Persie commitment
Van Persie's future has been surrounded by doubt since Moyes replaced Alex Ferguson.
LONDON (AFP) - Manchester United manager David Moyes is glad Robin Van Persie has set the record straight about his situation at Old Trafford.
Van Persie s future has been surrounded by doubt since Moyes replaced serial trophy-winner Alex Ferguson in pre-season following the latter s retirement.
There has been speculation about the Dutch striker s feelings regarding United s training methods and regular rumours have come out of the Netherlands concerning his state of mind.
Moyes has maintained throughout that there has never been an issue with the former Arsenal forward even though champions United are currently sixth in the Premier League, 18 points behind leaders Chelsea and nine off a top four finish that would secure Champions League football at Old Trafford next season.
But van Persie said Thursday he sees his future at United and the 30-year-old even suggested he would be interested in extending his current contract, which expires in 2016.
"I ve been telling you that (he s staying) but you ve wanted to say or write something different to what I ve been saying," Moyes told reporters at a news conference on Friday.
"It s difficult if you don t believe what I say.
"Robin is happy here and I m pleased about that.
"I didn t know they (the Van Persie quotes) were coming out. We ll take it as it is. He has a couple of years to go on his contract and I m sure that will be something the board look at.
"I ve always said I think we ve got two outstanding forwards in Wayne (Rooney) and Robin. Both have capabilities of winning games off their own back.
"They re both pivotal international players - one for Holland, one for England. They re the sort of players any side in the world would want in their team.
"I m delighted to have both of them and more importantly showing that they both want to be Manchester United players."
Meanwhile Moyes said Liverpool were favourites for Sunday s Premier League match between the bitter north-west rivals at Old Trafford.
Brendan Rodgers side sit second in the table, seven points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand going into the weekend.
United, who have dominated the last two decades are sixth, 11 points behind Liverpool.
"I think it is (still the biggest game in the country)," Moyes said. "There has been great history between the two clubs over a long period.
"I think it s the biggest club game in the Premier League," the former Everton manager added.
Asked if it was correct that Liverpool were favourites, Moyes said: "It may well be. Their league position suggests they re ahead of us. They possibly do come here favourites.
"Liverpool are having a very good season. They re our next game at home and we have to do all we possibly can to beat them.
"(Winning on Sunday) would be a big boost. It would be an important three points. I think everybody knows the importance of Manchester United-Liverpool games.
"We ve played them twice this year -- once in the league (Liverpool won 1-0) and once in the League Cup (United won 1-0). They ve been tight games."
Portuguese winger Nani is back in training and Moyes is also hopeful that Javier Hernandez, Rafael and Jonny Evans can overcome injuries to have a chance of featuring against Liverpool.
"They re all doing fine and coming on. Hopefully they ll all be in with a chance of playing," Moyes said.
"Nani s back. He had a really bad hamstring injury. He s back and has trained. Hopefully we get him up to speed very quickly."
