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Robin Van Persie debut likely against Everton

Manchester United gamble on Goodison Park debut for Van Persie.

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Sir Alex Ferguson is prepared to gamble on the match fitness of Robin van Persie by handing the 22 million pounds forward his Manchester United debut against Everton at Goodison Park on Monday evening.

Van Persie, who began the first stage of a medical in Manchester yesterday afternoon, is expected to rubber-stamp his transfer from Arsenal today after agreeing a four-year contract, with the option of a further 12 months, worth pounds 200,000 a week at Old Trafford.

And despite Van Persie being limited to less than 45 minutes of football this pre-season after missing Arsenal's tour of the Far East, Ferguson has admitted that the 29 year-old is on course to face Everton should his medical be successfully negotiated today.

"Sometimes medicals take a little longer and it may carry on until Friday," Ferguson said. "But I'm sure he [Van Persie] will be available for Monday's game."

While the capture of the Dutch forward has led United manager Ferguson to draw comparisons between his new attacking options and the Treble-winning quartet of Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Van Persie's arrival has placed a further cloud over the Old Trafford future of Dimitar Berbatov.

Berbatov is still searching for a new club after admitting last month that he wanted to leave United, but only Zenit St Petersburg and Galatasaray have shown interest.

The Bulgarian forward extended his pounds 100,000-a-week contract at Old Trafford until June 2013 earlier this summer, opening the prospect of United having to foot a bill of 5 million pounds for the 31 year-old's wages this season when he is expected to be a peripheral figure.

But having seen off competition from Manchester City and Juventus, as well as overcoming initial resistance from Arsenal, to sign Van Persie, Ferguson has admitted his delight at luring last season's double Footballer of the Year and Premier League top goalscorer to Old Trafford.

And the Scot believes that, with Van Persie alongside Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney and youngster Danny Welbeck, United now possess their most potent strike force since the Treble-winning campaign of 1999.

Ferguson said he was "delighted" with the Van Persie deal. "He's not signed yet, but a fee has been agreed and hopefully the medical goes according to plan.

"Rooney and Van Persie are two fantastic players and it's great to have both of them. What it gives us is more strength and combinations up front.

"Going back to the 1999 season, we had Yorke, Cole, Sheringham and Solskjaer, the four best strikers in Europe.

"We're getting towards that now with Wayne, Robin, Chicharito [Hernandez] and Danny Welbeck. It's a fantastic collection of players.

"It's great to have a player of Van Persie's quality to come into the squad as it is. I'm really pleased."

Van Persie's arrival has been welcomed by his new United team-mates, with Welbeck saying: "It's given the club a massive boost, everyone is delighted to be having him."

Midfielder Michael Carrick added: "Can he make the difference between second and first? There wasn't much difference [last season], so hopefully we can go that step further."

Meanwhile, United defender Rio Ferdinand is expected to learn today whether he faces a fine or suspension after being charged for appearing to endorse a tweet labelling Chelsea defender Ashley Cole as a "choc ice".

Ferdinand denied the charge and attended a personal hearing last week. The Football Association's regulatory panel has yet to announce its verdict, but it is understood that the outcome will be made public today.

 

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