My Manchester United team-mates make it difficult for me: Robin van Persie

Robin van Persie of Manchester United misses a late chance during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Olympiacos FC and Manchester United at Karaiskakis Stadium.

Post Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat against Greek side Olympiacos in the first round of the Champions League round of 16 at the Karaiskakis Stadium on Tuesday night, Dutch striker Robin van Persie criticised some of his team-mates.

While talking to Dutch channel NOS, Persie said:

“Our fellow players are sometimes occupying the spaces I want to play in. 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, they’re often playing in my zones. I think that’s a shame.”

When asked about manager David Moyes, Persie said: “He’s working hard at it, and so are we. Sometimes we pay 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.”

Persie had missed a good chance in the second half after hitting it well over the bar. “I rushed that shot. That’s a shame because I don’t get a lot of chances so when you get one, you have to score.”

“With all due respect, we should be able to defeat this team 2-0 or 3-0,” he concluded.

The two goals scored by Alejandro Dominguez and Joel Campbell keeps Olympiacos in a safe position now, while United have a lot of work to do ahead.