Robin van Persie could return for Manchester United against Sunderland

Robin van Persie looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at White Hart Lane

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie could make a return from his knee injury against Sunderland on Saturday, report Goal.

The Dutchman, who has only scored 11 goals in the Premier League this season, has been missing for several weeks with a knee injury sustained in the Champions League last-16 3-0 win over Olympiakos. Van Persie scored all three goals that night to send United through to face Bayern Munich in the next round.

He returned to training last Friday and has worked well. He is now hoping to return to action under Ryan Giggs for the first time as they face Sunderland at the weekend.

United are also hopeful he will return to action with a place on the substitutes bench the most likely.

Van Persie had initially been expected to miss the rest of the season, with his place in the Netherlands World Cup squad in doubt, but his quick return will be a major boost to both United and his country.

His national coach, Louis van Gaal, is expected to become Manchester United manager, has a good working relationship with the Dutch forward after recently being spotted a game together in Holland.