Robin Van Persie out for six weeks with knee injury

Robin van Persie being stretchered off after getting a knee injury against Olympiakos

Manchester United have confirmed that their talismanic striker Robin Van Persie who scored a sensational hat trick against Olympiakos on Wednesday had suffered a sprained knee during the latter stages of the match and would be missing 4-6 weeks of action.

Manchester United also confirmed it on their Official Twitter account

David Moyes had originally said that van Persie’s ‘injury’ wasn’t very serious. However, after scans were taken, United’s medical team have confirmed the worst.

Van Persie will miss the high-stakes derby on Sunday against Manchester City as well as the the UEFA Champions League quarter finals against the reigning German, DFB Pokal and Champions League winners, Bayern Munich.He will also miss matches against West Ham, Everton, Aston Villa, Norwich and Newcastle. However, van Persie should be ready for the World Cup to lead Netherlands’ challenge.

The injury has come at the worst possible time for both Manchester United and Van Persie himself as he was just beginning to find his form back after having been an isolated and sorry figure on the field.This is the second time this season that Persie is out with a long term injury after he suffered from toe and groin injuries in November last year.

This could see Japanese playmaker Shinji Kagawa and strikers Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck getting some gametime till the end of the season.

BREAKING: Following further investigation, Robin van Persie has a sprained knee, which will keep him out for around four to six weeks. #mufc

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 21, 2014