Everton v Manchester United – Goodison Park, 8pm (Sky Sports 1)
ALEX FERGUSON WILL wait until the last minute before deciding whether new striker Robin van Persie is fit enough to make his debut in Manchester United’s Premier League opener at Everton on Monday.
Van Persie, signed for €30 million from Arsenal, rushed back from international duty with Holland in midweek to undergo a medical in Manchester that went into the early hours of Friday before completing the most eye-catching Premier League transfer of the year.
After such a hectic schedule, and just a handful of training sessions with his new team-mates, United manager Ferguson is uncertain if he should throw van Persie straight into his starting line-up at Goodison Park.
“He hasn’t played much. We are going to assess him the next couple of days and chat with him, see how he feels himself,” Ferguson said.
“Adrenalin will help, if I choose to start him, but I think it’s important he had a training session on Friday morning and hopefully the weekend will give me a good idea on whether he should start or I should put him on the bench.”
Van Persie’s arrival gives Ferguson, who could already call on Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck, an impressive collection of attacking talent and the Scot believes Welbeck is just one player who will benefit from playing alongside such world-class performer.
United have also added Japanese attacking midfielder Shinji Kagawa and teenager Nick Powell, from Crewe Alexandra, over the close-season transfer window.
Kagawa scored the match winner in United’s 4-3 friendly win over German club Hannover on August 11.
New signing Shinji Kagawa could start tonight. Credit: ChinaFotoPress/Photocome/Press Association Images
In the same match United star Wayne Rooney continued an encouraging pre-season with a two-goal performance, converting both a free kick and penalty attempt.
The game showed off a new-look attacking combination for the 2012/13 season, with Rooney playing a deeper role beside Kagawa and Tom Cleverley.
Cleverley participated in the London Olympics for Great Britain and has said the experience will benefit him for the forthcoming season.
A dramatic 4-4 draw at home to Everton on April 22 was a major blow to United's title challenge, as rivals Manchester City ultimately claimed the championship on goal difference.
And Moyes is determined for his players make a winning start to the campaign after losing their previous four opening day games.
Steven Naismith has been brought in while Steven Pienaar returns after playing for the club from 2008 until 2011, coming back on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, before sealing a permanent transfer.
Naismith's addition to the side has already proved fruitful, with the former Glasgow Rangers striker scoring a hat-trick against AEK Athens in a friendly on August 8.
Yet perhaps more significant were the players which left Everton over the close season.
Long-time servant Tim Cahill and promising midfielder Jack Rodwell have both left, with Cahill moving to the New York Red Bulls and Rodwell signed by Manchester City.
In their absence, Everton will look to Croatia international Nikica Jelavic to shine.
The striker netted 11 goals in 13 league starts following a January move from Rangers last season.
-AFP
