Van Persie Lucky I Didnt Drop Him - Van Gaal

  

The Netherlands international is the club's top

scorer this season with six goals but only kept

his place in the team earlier this season due to

a lack of alternatives Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says Robin van Persie is lucky not to have been dropped after a slow start to the season.

Van Persie was back to his best on Monday as United beat Southampton 2-1, scoring both of

the Red Devils' goals.

The 31-year-old is currently United’s top scorer

this season with six goals, but Van Gaal says only

a lack of alternatives saved him from losing his

place in the starting XI as he had scored just

once in the five league games prior to the

match against Ronalk Koeman's side.

"There was a time when Robin wasn’t playing very well, but you have to compare what you have with other players who might take his place," Van Gaal told reporters.

"He was a lucky boy because at that moment

Radamel Falcao was injured and I had to compare him with Wayne Rooney and James Wilson.

"Rooney I can play in a lot of other positions

and Wilson is still a young talent still proving

himself.

"I have always played with two strikers, only

three or four times with one, so Robin was lucky.

"I have a lot of confidence in him though, even

when he is not at his best, because I have explained what I like in a striker.

"I look for players who do not just score goals

but provide an attacking point, linking with

other players and able to see the third man as

well.

"Van Persie is one of the best strikers around at

that."