Manchester
United will be without nine players for Louis van Gaal's first competitive game
in charge as the Dutchman confirmed he will not rush Robin van Persie back to
face Swansea.
The 31-year-old, who captained Van
Gaal's Netherlands team when they finished third in the World Cup, has only had
two weeks' training and even though fellow striker Danny Welbeck is on the
injured list, Van Persie will not be risked at Old Trafford on Saturday.
"He has to train," the
62-year-old said in a news conference.
Van Gaal has picked fellow forward Wayne Rooney for the captaincy
and, asked why why he chose the Englishman, said: "His attitude. More on
the pitch and on the training ground, but I have also explained that outside
the pitch is important to me and he accepted the responsibility.
"I like him very much, how he
trained, how he performed in the game and how he performed to his fellow
players."
Rooney missed a penalty in Tuesday's
friendly against Valencia and Van Gaal hinted the occasion got to the
28-year-old and urged him to perform as he had done during United's preseason
tour.
He added: "I have said to him,
'It was maybe too much for you as a captain,' but let it fly, I say, because in
the United States he scored a lot of goals and made a lot of assists. I want to
see that Wayne."
Van Gaal said nine players will miss
Swansea's visit for various reasons and named six who are sidelined.
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