Louis van Gaal Could Axe Robin van Persie after Criticising the Striker's Performance Against Arsenal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has launched a scathing attack on striker Robin van Persie following his poor run of form that culminated in a horrendous performance against former club Arsenal last weekend.

The Dutch striker has endured a torrid time this season and is a shadow of his former self, when he helped United to a 20<sup>th Premier League title two seasons ago.

Following his struggles under David Moyes last season, it was expected that Van Persie will get back to form under his former national team manager owing to their good camaraderie and understanding.

But it has been the opposite, with the former Gunners striker struggling to get into games and finding goals hard to come, having scored just three goals in 11 appearances in the league.

Van Gaal was very revealing in his criticism of the striker and admitted that it was his poor performance that saw him substituted during the second half of the game against Arsenal.

"You can count his touches on the ball and 13 is few for a striker. You know how strikers are. They feel they have to score goals," Van Gaal said, as quoted by the BBC.

"But more important is how he is playing. It was a very bad game for him. That is why I changed him," the Dutch manager added.

The manager understands that it is a matter of confidence for a striker when it comes to scoring goals, but the manager insists that he is not looking at his striker only for goals, but for all-round play that will help the team win.

"It's a question also of confidence, maybe a question of scoring a wonderful goal. They feel like that, but it's not that I'm asking that."

"I have said to them you have to be at an attacking point. You have to help our team come and search for space. For me, it is not important who is scoring, as long as the team scores," the former Bayern Munich boss explained, as quoted by the Mirror.

It is believed that the Red Devils' manager is set to relegate the Dutchman to the bench for the visit of Hull City on Saturday and give a first Premier League start to youngster James Wilson, who has impressed in a few substitute appearances this season.

However, Van Gaal refused to reveal his decision when he said: "You shall wait and see."