Man United boss eyes debut at Everton for exiting Arsenal man

Robin van Persiecould make his Manchester United debut against Everton. Photo: Nigel French/EMPICS Sport

Thursday, August 16, 2012
1:51 PM

Transfer news: Fergie expects Robin van Persie to play in first game of season

Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Robin van Persie will be available to make his Manchester United debut against Everton on Monday night.

United announced last night that they had agreed a fee with Arsenal for the Holland striker, subject to him settling personal terms and passing a medical, which he will undergo in Manchester today.

Ferguson said: “He is on his way up from London for a medical later this afternoon.

“We hope that goes according to plan. His agent is in discussions with (United chief executive) David Gill right about now.

“We hope all the things will be tied up, although sometimes medicals do take a bit longer. I am sure he will be available for Monday’s game.”

Speaking at the launch of a new partnership with online gaming group bwin, Ferguson likened his present situation to that he had in 1999 when Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke scored 53 goals during United’s Treble-winning campaign, reinforced by Champions League final heroes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

“They (Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie) are two fantastic players and it will be great to have both of them,” said Ferguson.

“It gives us more strength and more combinations up front.

“In 1999 I had Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the four best strikers in Europe.

“We are going towards that now with Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney, Robin, Danny Welbeck and Shinji Kagawa.

“It is a fantastic collection of players and hopefully I pick the right combinations

“It is great to have a player of Robin van Persie’s qualities to come into the squad. I am very pleased.”