Van Persie inches closer to Manchester United return before season's end
Manchester United striker Robin van Persie could be back in action before the end of the season after making a quicker than expected return to fitness.
Van Persie was ruled out for six weeks after suffering a knee injury in the UEFA Champions League win over Olympiakos last month.
The Dutchman returned to light training last Friday and he could be in contention to face Sunderland this weekend if he comes through this week's training unscathed. United interim manager Ryan Giggs admits they will assess van Persie's fitness this week before deciding if he will return to action against Sunderland.
"We'll just have to wait and see how he goes this week," Giggs is quoted as saying in the Daily Mail. "He came back last Friday and he trained well. He just needs to work on his fitness now so, yeah, he looked great."
The news of van Persie's fitness will come as a boost to Holland as they will be hoping the striker will be back to full fitness ahead of this summer's World Cup finals.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are considering other candidates for their managerial vacancy, despite positive talks with Louis van Gaal, according to Sky sources.
Van Gaal remains the bookmakers' favorite to replace David Moyes, who was sacked last week. Giggs has been put in charge until the end of the season, and United beat Norwich 4-0 in his first match last Saturday. Van Gaal will be Netherlands boss at this summer's World Cup, but will then step down. He had been linked with Tottenham but it is understood he has held productive talks with United.
United though are keeping their options open with other candidates still in the frame.
