Moyes promises to handle Van Persie with care

LONDON. New Manchester United manager David Moyes hinted that Robin van Persie will be used more sparingly this season after the Dutchman’s brace put paid to Wigan Athletic in the Community Shield.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Van Persie shoots past James McClean's challenge and doubles United's advantage. Net photo.

LONDON. New Manchester United manager David Moyes hinted that Robin van Persie will be used more sparingly this season after the Dutchman’s brace put paid to Wigan Athletic in the Community Shield.Van Persie scored in each half at Wembley on Sunday to earn United a 2-0 win in the annual season curtain-raiser, as the English champions secured their fifth Community Shield success in seven years.The former Arsenal striker broke the deadlock with a fine sixth-minute header from Patrice Evra’s cross before doubling his tally shortly before the hour with a deflected shot.It sets him up for a tilt at matching or exceeding his haul of 30 goals from his debut United campaign, but Moyes does not want the team to become too dependent on a player who turned 30 last Tuesday."It was a great header; 16 yards on the angle into the corner. He might not be renowned for that type of goal, but it was a brilliantly guided header from a long way out,” Moyes said of Van Persie’s opener."I’ve been really impressed with Robin because he’s been easy to work with. He’s taken on everything. He’s been really receptive, he’s been helpful."We tried to manage him at the right times by playing him for some minutes and not (for others)."He’s so important, we have to look after him and we will do at the right times. It just showed you today (Sunday), he came up with the goods again with his goals.”Robin van Persie is certain that Manchester United will compete for the Barclays Premier League title this season after his two goals.‘We’re doing really well and I believe in this team,’ he told ITV. ‘We are the champions and based on that we are clear favourites.‘I believe in this team and I believe that we will compete until the end again.’