• Dutchman defends manager David Moyes
• ‘It’s easy to point the finger, but I’m not like that’

Speaking to Dutch broadcasting channel NOS after Manchester United’s 2-0 Champions League defeat against Olympiakos, a visibly frustrated Robin van Persie voiced some criticism towards his fellow United players.

“Our fellow players are sometimes occupying the spaces I want to play in,” he said, after an NOS reporter asked him whether he was allowed to drop deep to get the ball.

“And when I see that, it makes it difficult for me to come to those spaces as well. So that forces me to adjust my runs, based on the position of my fellow players. And unfortunately, their often playing in my zones. I think that’s a shame,” he elaborated.

The attacker also admitted he made some mistakes of his own. “I rushed that shot,” he said. “That’s a shame, because I don’t get a lot of chances, so when you get one, you have to score.”

Confronted with some of the criticism directed at Manchester United’s manager David Moyes, Van Persie said: “He’s working hard at it, and so are we. Sometimes we play well, but not all the time. We don’t have luck on our side.”

“It’s easy to point the finger at someone, but I’m not like that. We have to do better ourselves.”

The Dutchman still has hopes for the return, that’s set to be played at Old Trafford on the 19th of March. “With all due respect, we should be able to defeat this team 2-0 or 3-0,” he said.

• Robin van Persie
• Manchester United
• Olympiakos
• Champions League

theguardian.com