Sergio Ramos aims to stop Van Persie

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has insisted that the Spanish giants must be aware of Manchester United's in-form striker Robin van Persie.

The Dutchman is likely to start against Los Blancos in the first leg of the Champions League round-of-16 clash at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.



"Van Persie is on very, very good form," The Guardian quotes Ramos as saying. "We hadn't seen him this good for years. He's quick, strikes the ball well, he's a constant nuisance.



"[Wayne] Rooney's different. He's hard-work, heavy going. He enjoys the physical challenge. I prefer that, to be honest. I like that defender versus striker battle, that challenge."



Meanwhile, former United defender Gary Neville believes that the Red Devils will have to double up on Cristiano Ronaldo in order to stop him from controlling the game.

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Fergie: No one-man team

Sir Alex Ferguson has rejected claims that Manchester United are turning into a one-man team.



Much has been made of Robin van Persie's impact since his arrival at Old Trafford last summer, but Ferguson insists there is more to his team than the in-form Dutch striker.

Van Persie has scored 10 goals in his last 10 appearances and earned warm praise from his manager, but Ferguson is anxious to point out that he is not their only threat.

"I don't go along with the idea we have become a one-man team," Ferguson told United Review.

"There was a time in our history when one man did carry us for a while. Eric Cantona kept us in contention with his goals when a few others were off the boil.

"But things are quite different now. Javier Hernandez has weighed in with 12 goals while Wayne Rooney is currently on nine.

"Two defenders, Johnny Evans and Patrice Evra, have chipped in with eight between them so it doesn't stand up to see us as a one-man band overly dependent on van Persie, brilliant as he has been at both making and taking goals.

"He is absolutely relishing his new challenge. He is the right player, at the right club, at the right time.



"He has a winning mentality, but as he points out, it is one that goes right through the squad and one that will hopefully see us push on in both league and the cups and successfully navigate what is a busy and challenging period."


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Top-selling official EPL player jerseys

Robin van Persie’s popularity at Manchester United since joining from Arsenal in the summer is demonstrated by news that his is the best-selling official Barclays Premier League shirt in North America this season.



Figures released by Sporting ID, which produces the names, numbers and sleeve badges of the Barclays Premier League, show that the United forward, who has scored 11 Premier League goals so far, leads his United strike partner Wayne Rooney, who was found to have had the best-selling shirt in the League’s history. In third is Chelsea striker Fernando Torres.

"North American soccer fans support the Barclays Premier League as fanatically as anywhere else"

Robert Thayne

United States striker Clint Dempsey is the biggest mover, rising to sixth after his move from Fulham to Tottenham Hotspur in August. Dempsey is the first US player to make the top 10 in North American sales.

"North American soccer fans continue to support the Barclays Premier League as fanatically as anywhere else, often waking at 4am to catch games on TV," said Sporting iD’s global sales and marketing director Robert Thayne. "Players like Van Persie, Eden Hazard, Clint Dempsey, Steven Gerrard and Jack Wilshere are top-class players playing for the biggest clubs in the world and their fans in North America are really no different than the ones who live in the UK.

“They are clearly showing their support of these players and their club by personalizing jerseys with official Premier League player names, numbers and sleeve badges.”



Top-selling official Barclays Premier League player jerseys in North America : -



1. Robin van Persie (Manchester United)

2. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

3. Fernando Torres (Chelsea)

4. Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

5. Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

6. Clint Dempsey (Tottenham Hotspur)

7. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

8. Javier Hernandez (Manchester United)

9. Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United)

10. Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

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Rooney would love RVP to join United

ayne Rooney has heaped praise on Robin van Persie as Manchester United aim to convince the Arsenal forward to move to Old Trafford.

The Dutchman revealed in July that he would not sign a new contract at the Emirates, citing a disagreement 'in the way Arsenal should move forward' and speculation over his future has been rife ever since.



Although Van Persie missed the club's Asia tour, he flew out to Germany on Monday for a week-long training camp, suggesting a potential move is far from certain.



Indeed, claims that the demands of his agent looked as if they would scupper the move to Manchester surfaced on Thursday.



Despite this, Rooney was happy to speak about a potential move for the Arsenal captain.



"Of course he's a player that I admire," Rooney said.



"He's a fantastic player, he's been amazing for Arsenal over many years. Last season was probably his best season of all, he scored a lot of goals.

"If he does come here he would be a great addition to the squad."



Asked whether he could play alongside Van Persie, Rooney added: "I'd like to think so - but you'd have to ask the manager about that.



"There's a lot of forwards here already with myself, (Danny) Welbeck, Chicharito and (Dimitar) Berbatov, who's still here.



"So there's a lot of forwards fighting for a place."



Manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Wednesday that United had made an offer for Van Persie but revealed there had been no breakthrough with Arsenal.



United have just one game remaining in their pre-season schedule against German side Hannover on Saturday after drawing 0-0 with Barcelona in a glamour friendly in Gothenburg on Wednesday.



Rooney was substituted at half-time having missed a penalty in the first half.



"I'm not sure why that was, you’d have to ask the manager," he said.



"I think he felt some other players needed minutes. But I'm excited, I feel good, I feel fresh and I'm looking forward to the new season.



"It's a big season for us after last season and we all need to be ready for it.



"It was a good workout. I would have obviously liked a bit longer but it was a chance for some of the players to get some more game time.



"It was a good result - disappointing to lose on penalties but a good run-out."

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Juventus intend to wrap up Suarez and RVP

Juventus' interest in Luis Suarez will not detract from their move for Robin van Persie.

It is understood that Juventus would ideally love to pair Van Persie and Suarez in a dream attack.



Whether either deal is pushed on remains to be seen, but Italian champions Juve are aiming big.



They have already made a firm move for Van Persie but, as with rival bidders Manchester City and Manchester United, have not been able to agree terms with Arsenal.

Sky Sports understands that Arsenal are standing firm over their valuation of the Dutch striker, who confirmed earlier this summer he did not wish to extend his contract, which has one year left.



Whilst Juve continue to work on a possible deal for Van Persie, they also have an interest in Suarez.



But it is understood that their interest in Suarez is long-standing and their ideal scenario was to sign both players but whether either deal can be done remains to be seen.



Despite his troubles last season, Suarez remains popular with the Anfield faithful and his performances underlined his quality.

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Top 10 best buys

Premier League's best bargains, in pictures :-

Nicolas Anelka: £500,000

A great investment by Arsene Wenger who signed Anelka frm Paris St Germain in 1997. During his two seasons he helped the club to a league and cup double before joining Real Madrid for just under £23 million.



Demba Ba: free

A risk by Newcastle manager Alan Pardew given the state of the striker's knees but it's paid off enormously. He scored 16 goals in his first season on Tyneside.



Tim Cahill: £1.5m

Twice a bargain transfer. The first time when Everton signed him from Milwall for £1.5 million in 2004 and if the latest rumours prove true, the Australian is set to join the New York Red Bulls for just over a million.



Sol Campbell: free

He angered Tottenham fans when he joined Arsenal for nothing but it was another genius bit of negotiating from Wenger as Campbell was central to the club's success between 2001-06.



Eric Cantona: £1.2m

Probably Sir Alex Ferguson's best deal to date; The King cost the Scot just £1.2m when he signed from Leeds in 1992. He was well worth it and scored 64 goals in 143 appearances.



Ole Gunner Solskjaer: £1.5m

United's Baby Faced Assasin cost them just £1.5 million, a great investment for 10 years of outstanding service and crucial goals.



Robin van Persie: £2.75

A cut price for the striker who arrived from Feyenoord in 2004 and went on to score 96 goals in 194 appearances. Arsenal are set to cash in on the Dutchman who has recently annunced he intends to leave.



Joe Hart: £600,000

Manchester City and England's No 1 goalkeeper who cost next to nothing in 2006. he is now one of the club's top earners.



Shay Given: £1.5

Another bargain goalkeeper, Newcastle paid under two million for Shay Given in 1997 and were rewarded with 10 years of outstanding service.



Cesc Fabregas: free

Another great piece of negotiating from Wenger who is renowned for his unwillingness to spend big. A young Fabregas joined in 2003 as he feared getting not play time at Barcelona. Again Arsenal cashed in on their man and sold him back to the Catalan club last year for £30m.

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Henry hopes Van Persie stays

Thierry Henry is hoping Robin van Persie will stay at Arsenal, but insists life will go on if his former team-mate leaves the Emirates Stadium.



Van Persie's long-term future in North London appears uncertain after he confirmed earlier this month that he will not be signing an extension to his contract, which expires next year.



Manchester City, Manchester United and Juventus are all keen on the striker, but no clubs have yet matched Arsenal's valuation of their captain.



Henry left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007, before returning for a loan spell earlier this year, while the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri have also been high-profile departures from the club in recent seasons.



If the Netherlands international follows the lead of several of his former colleagues, Henry remains confident that the Gunners can still challenge for honours.



"We hope it stays, and that's the way it is," Henry told Sky Sports News. "I don't know exactly what is happening but as an Arsenal fan I want him to stay.



"He is still an Arsenal player and the boss has to deal with it."



When asked about Van Persie stating he will not sign a new contract, Henry replied: "I've got nothing to say about that, you will not get me to be one of the guys talking about the club and the player.



"I just want Arsenal to do well. Robin will do what he will do and we'll see.



"When I left, everybody cried, but then the year after they went on a run of being eight points ahead. Everyone comes and goes."

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Ramsey hopes Van Persie will stay

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey says he and his team-mates are all keeping their fingers crossed that Robin van Persie decides to remain at Emirates Stadium for the coming season.



Van Persie's future remains in the balance, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus all expressing an interest in signing the Dutchman after he announced he would not sign an new contract with the Gunners.



The Arsenal captain enjoyed a stunning campaign in 2011-12, scoring 37 goals on his way to winning the PFA and Football Writers' Association Player of the Year awards, and his departure would leave Arsene Wenger with a gaping hole to fill.



Having played alongside Van Persie for the past four years and watched him sparkle last season, Ramsey is hoping the Gunners can hold on to him.



"We don't know anything that goes on. We hope that he stays at Arsenal," Ramsey said. "He had a brilliant season last year and he is a big player for us, so we are just hopeful that he will stay.''



Rumours surrounding Van Persie's future may refuse to disappear, but Ramsey still believes Arsene Wenger's side will be in good shape for 2012-13 after adding Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski to their ranks.



"If we get off to a better start this season than we did last season, we know we are capable of finishing pretty strongly, like we did last year," Ramsey said.



"We have brought in a couple of players who are well-known and hopefully we can put ourselves in a position to compete early on.''



One Arsenal player who will definitely be absent for the start of the season is Jack Wilshere, who continues to fight against injury problems.



Ramsey says he can empathise with his team-mate's plight having previously missed ten months on the sidelines with a double leg fracture.



"The worst position you are in is when you are on the medical bed and you can't get out on that training pitch," Ramsey said.



"I understand what he is going through at the moment, but he has to be mentally strong - which he has been so far - and he will be back before he knows it, playing again and showing what he can do.''

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Van Persie announces he will leave Arsenal

Robin van Persie has revealed that he will not sign a new contract at Arsenal and expects to continue his football career away from Emirates Stadium.



Van Persie, whose current contract with the Gunners is due to expire in 12 months' time, met with the club's hierarchy over an extension before Euro 2012, with talks subsequently postponed until after the Dutchman returned from his summer holidays.



The striker has had time to reflect on those talks - which he says did not centre on his own personal terms, but rather the direction the north London club is heading - and has now decided not to renew his contract, believing the club do not share his ambitions for the future.



"As announced earlier this year I had a meeting with the boss [Arsene Wenger] and Mr [Ivan] Gazidis after the season," said Van Persie in a statement. "This was a meeting about the club's future strategy and their policy. Financial terms or a contract have not been discussed, since that is not my priority at all.



"I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days. Out of my huge respect for Mr Wenger, the players and the fans I don't want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal should move forward.



"I've thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract. You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions.



"I love the club and the fans, no matter what happens. I have grown up and became a man during my time with Arsenal. Everybody at the club and the fans have always supported me over the years and I have always given my all (and more) on and off the pitch.



"I am very proud of being part of this fantastic club for the last eight years. As soon as Mr Gazidis is back from his two-week holiday in America further meetings will follow and I will update you if and when there are more developments."



Van Persie was named the PFA footballer of the year for his performances last season, which saw him score 37 goals in all competitions for the club.



The 28-year-old has been linked with Manchester City, Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona since his contract situation became an issue.



Van Persie's exit would continue a worrying trend of Arsenal losing their best players - with Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri both leaving Arsenal last summer, after the club lost the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure 12 months prior.



The Gunners have already boosted their attacking options this summer - signing Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud, in a bid to both improve the playing staff and convince Van Persie of the club's ambition. However, Wenger and Gazidis will now have to decide whether to allow Van Persie to leave for nothing next summer, or cash in on the Dutchman while they still can.

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