Holland squad selected for the upcoming friendlies

Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie are among a strong 21-man Holland squad selected for the upcoming friendlies against Indonesia and China which also features four debutants.

It will mean an extended end to the season for Robben, who will feature for Bayern Munich in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.



Van Persie will have had a little more rest after the English Premier League season finished last Sunday with the striker having been part of Manchester United's title-winning team.



It was the 29-year-old's first silverware since he won the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2005.



Other established players called up by manager Louis van Gaal include Fenerbahce's Dirk Kuyt, Wesley Sneijder of Galatasaray and Hamburg's Rafael van der Vaart.



Van Gaal has, though, handed first call-ups to Lerin Duarte, Miquel Nelom, Dwight Tiendalli and Jens Toornstra.



The Oranje travel to Jakarta to take on Indonesia on Friday June 7 before moving on to Beijing where they will face China the following Tuesday, June 11.



Holland squad:

Michel Vorm (Swansea), Kenneth Vermeer (Ajax), Jasper Cillessen (Ajax); John Heitinga (Everton), Erik Pieters, Dwight Tiendalli (Swansea), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord), Miquel Nelom (Feyenoord); Lerin Duarte (Heracles Almelo), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea), Jens Toornstra, Ruben Schaken (Feyenoord), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg); Siem de Jong (Ajax), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens, Robin van Persie (Manchester United), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Ricky van Wolfswinkel (Sporting Lisbon).

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RVP told to ignore boo boys

Sir Alex Ferguson has told Robin van Persie to ignore the Arsenal boo-boys when he returns to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.



Van Persie completed a controversial £24million switch from Arsenal to Manchester United in the summer and has proved the major difference in this season's title race, taking his tally to 24 Premier League goals with Monday's hat-trick against Aston Villa.



But his appearance in north London this weekend is unlikely to go down well given he will soon be collecting the championship winners' medal he did not feel was realistic at Arsenal.



And though Arsene Wenger has confirmed his players will form a guard of honour in tribute to United's achievement, Van Persie's presence is bound to antagonise a section of the long-suffering Gunners support, who have now gone eight seasons since their team last won a trophy.



Under such circumstances, Ferguson's advice is for Van Persie not to allow the baiting to get to him.

"I don't bother about it, and I don't think Robin should bother about it either," said Ferguson.



"There was a bit of booing when he played at Old Trafford and I expect a portion of fans will do that.



"That is the modern generation I am afraid.



"For Arsenal to have one of their players go to their biggest rivals of the last 20 years doesn't sit well with their fans, nor Arsene for that matter.



"But it does happen. You just have to move on. Arsenal have moved on now. They are challenging for a Champions League place and have every chance of getting one."

Van Persie's contribution to the United cause can hardly be overstated.



Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has repeated countless times the Dutchman has been the major difference in this season's battle for honours.



His brilliant volley against Villa had the hallmark of class stamped all over it.



And, after taking such a leap of faith by joining United, Ferguson could see how much winning the title meant to Van Persie when the final whistle blew.

"It showed in his celebrations, not just after he had scored the goals but at the end of the match," said Ferguson.



"We had a few players who were winning it for the first time but he was celebrating better than the others."

And evidently, Van Persie's team-mates are equally delighted for the striker, who has more than lived up to the star billing he was granted upon his arrival last August.

"I don't know if he has exceeded expectations," said Ryan Giggs.



"We all knew what he was capable of but sometimes you don't realise just by playing against someone how good they actually are.



"When you train with them every day and play with them every week it is different.



"That has definitely been the case with Robin. We knew about his goalscoring. But it is his all-round play. He has been absolutely brilliant. Long may that continue."

With Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck keen to play some part and Tom Cleverley in contention to fill a midfield berth that could release Wayne Rooney into a more advanced position, there is an outside chance Van Persie might not start on Sunday.



Ferguson has vowed to play a strong side though out of respect to Arsenal's fellow top-four contenders Tottenham and Chelsea.



However, he acknowledged with gratitude Arsene Wenger's confirmation United will be afforded a guard of honour as they make their way onto the pitch.

"I am glad Arsene has done that," said the Scot.



"When they came to Old Trafford in 2002 and Sylvain Wiltord scored the only goal, we did exactly the same," he said.



"That is what great clubs should do."

Wenger calls for respect for former star

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists that the Gunners will respect former player Robin van Persie on his return to the Emirates on Sunday.



The Dutchman left the club last season after eight years service at the club, and it was his hat-trick on Monday night that saw Manchester United crowned English league champions for the 20th time.



Monday’s achievement means that Arsenal will clap United onto the pitch before the game in a guard of honour, which is likely to anger the fans, who are still bitter over the van Persie affair.



Poznan



Rumours circulating on Twitter last night suggested that Arsenal fans will do a Manchester City style ‘Poznan’ when United walk onto to the pitch. Take a look at the video below which shows Arsenal imitating the Poznan last year in a 1-0 victory over Man City.



Wenger however has stated that the £24million man will not be disrespected by his former employees.

“We will respect the players that have played for us a long time as we always have done and treat them well before and after the game,” Wenger said, as reported by The Independent.



“As a champion or not as a champion it is exactly the same. What I want is for us to have a good game and to beat them, it doesn’t matter what kind of status they come with.”

Arsenal must be careful not to be distracted by the return of the Flying Dutchman, as a victory is needed to keep themselves in the top four.



Focus

“Their players are of the highest level, you can’t just focus on one player because their team is full of players who can create and score,” Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal said, as reported by the newspaper.



“We must be on our guard and be aware of certain key players, like Robin, who has scored a sack of goals this year and is playing well. He is one of their main threats."

RVP: Team triumph

Robin van Persie insisted that the plaudits should be shared equally after his first-half hat-trick against Aston Villa wrapped up a 20th league title for Manchester United.

The Dutchman's treble - including a goal of the season contender - took his league tally for the season to 24 but he was more interested in the overall prize than personal landmarks.

"It doesn't matter who scored, as long as we won the game. From the first minute, everyone played well and it was great to score so early and a great win for us," he told Sky Sports after the 3-0 victory.

"I am very happy but it is weird. I had to wait so long for my first title. It is a great feeling. It is a fantastic team and fantastic players.

"It is a championship for every single one of them. The staff, the managers, the physios. This is our 20th title, it is deserved.

Van Persie's second goal had the crowd off their feet - a breath-taking left-foot volley as he latched onto a long-range pass from Wayne Rooney.

"It was a great ball from Wayne," he added. "So the only thing I had to do was guide it right and hit it properly and it went in great but more important was the result.

"The second goal was one the best goals. I only had to time it right. Let me enjoy this moment, the next game is against Arsenal, but let me enjoy this moment."


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Ferguson salutes Van Persie

Sir Alex Ferguson on Wayne Rooney :"Wayne was brilliant and he needed a different role to get his confidence back. There has been a bit of criticism, a few doubters"

Sir Alex Ferguson: "That was my 900th win in charge of Man Utd? I wish it was 1000! The players deserve credit for their character."



Sir Alex Ferguson on Robin Van Persie : "Van Persie nearly killed me with his celebration - he forgets I'm 71! He did ever so well for the penalty, though."



“It was a great celebration it brought the emotions of the fans and the players together, he really did celebrate that” -Ferguson on RvP.



RVP on 'that hug': "I wanted to celebrate with the players and the staff because they have been there for me."

Van Persie to avoid FA charge

Manchester United forward Robin van Persie will not face retrospective action from the Football Association over an apparent elbow to the face of Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye in his side's Premier League match at the Sports Direct Arena.



Press Association Sport understands that match referee Howard Webb did not see the incident during the game, but on reviewing television evidence he did not deem it worthy of a sending-off offence, so no further action will be taken.



Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said after the game that he felt the incident warranted further investigation, saying: "He has looked at Yohan and he has elbowed him, and I think that perhaps needs to be looked at, if I am honest.



"There's a bit of history from last year and I don't know if Robin has been caught up in that, but that was just a little bit unsavoury.



"I actually thought Yohan wouldn't have gone down if he hadn't done something.



"I didn't see it myself, but I have obviously seen it on the replay and it looks like he has looked at him and put his elbow there.''



The 'history' referred to by Pardew was an incident involving Van Persie, then an Arsenal player, and Newcastle's Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul which took place last season.



No action will be taken either in regard to Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote, who appeared to stamp on Tom Cleverley's leg, or to Stoke City defender Robert Huth, who was involved in a similar incident with Liverpool forward Luis Suarez.



In both cases, the incidents were seen by officials at the time and therefore no further action can be taken.

Van Gaal: "No serious injury for Van Persie"

Manchester United striker was substituted at half-time during Netherlands' World Cup qualifier against Hungary with a suspected thigh injury, but boss Louis van Gaal has insisted it was for "precautionary measures".



Van Persie took two knees to the thigh in a challenge with Hungary defender Roland Juhasz and was replaced by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar during the interval. The extent of the Dutchman's injury has not yet been confirmed.



Van Gaal told SBS6: "We took off Robin for precautionary measures. It doesn't seem to be too serious, but you never know. We didn't want to take any risks."



The 29-year-old has netted four goals in three games for Manchester United following his transfer from Arsenal last month. Van Persie also netted in Netherlands' 2-0 World Cup qualifying victory against Turkey on Friday.

First hat-trick for RvP with Man Utd

Robin van Persie scored twice in the final three minutes to complete his hat-trick and earn Manchester United a 3-2 win at Southampton.



Rickie Lambert headed the hosts in front after 16 minutes before Van Persie levelled seven minutes later with a fine strike.



Nathaniel Clyne's inopportune slip cost Saints but the home side enjoyed their own dollop of good fortune 10 minutes into the second half as Patrice Evra also slipped on the turf, allowing Morgan Schneiderlin to head home.



Saints would have been pegged back once again, though, had it not have been for goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, who saved a cheeky penalty attempt by Van Persie.



The Netherlands international looked set to get his first taste of the famous hairdryer treatment from Sir Alex Ferguson, in his 1000th league game in charge of United, only to provide a late double salvo inside the final three minutes that turned the game on its head and saw him rack up his 100th Premier League goal.



Heading into the game, much of the talk was about Ferguson's decision to play Anders Lindegaard instead of regular number one goalkeeper David de Gea.



Rio Ferdinand was also a notable inclusion as he made his first appearance of the season, partnering Nemanja Vidic in defence for the first time since a 2-1 defeat to Basel last December.



The occasion seemed to get the better of the hosts in the opening exchanges and in the sixth minute Van Persie fired a volley just wide.



The attempt awoke Southampton from their slumber and they were soon pushing forward, with Adam Lallana shooting wide after meeting a clever low corner from Danny Fox.



Schneiderlin blazed over from long-range as the hosts continued to push for a goal that came after just 16 minutes.



Saints were getting a lot of joy down the right flank and made the most of it as Jason Puncheon sent a hanging cross to the back post, which Rafael failed to deal with and Lambert headed home.



However, like so often, the goal only seemed to spur Ferguson's side into life.



Shinji Kagawa was first to show the visitors' intent as he struck a speculative 20-yard effort that Davis could only push wide.



Southampton rode out that storm but could not prevent United drawing level in the 23rd minute.



Antonio Valencia's cross from the right looked like it would be intercepted by Clyne but the Saints right-back slipped and Van Persie took full advantage, controlling with aplomb before firing home.



The Netherlands international almost added a 99th Premier League goal shortly afterwards with a nonchalant 20-yard free-kick which curled just wide.



It was not all United, though, as Lambert fired just wide and then both James Ward-Prowse and Lallana came close with long-range efforts.



However, Ferguson's side were proving adept at exploiting the hosts' weaknesses.



One such example was Saints left-back Fox, who once again let Valencia cross from the right and, following another slip by Clyne, only the quick reactions of Davis prevented Evra netting at the back post.



Fox's torrid time continued in the second half as Valencia beat him to a pass from Davis, although the Ecuadorian's cross was not converted by Van Persie.



Kagawa came close moments before that as United started the second half just as they had ended the first.



That domination counted for nothing, though, as another penalty-box slip resulted in a goal.



This time Evra was the unfortunate party as his fall allowed Schneiderlin to nod home a Lambert cross unopposed to the delight of the vast majority of those inside St Mary's.



It started a spell of dominance for the hosts as Puncheon forced Lindegaard into a smart save at the near post, before Rafael cleared under pressure from Lambert and Lallana had an effort blocked.



Only Ferdinand prevented Ward-Prowse slotting home a Lambert cross, before Paul Scholes and Nani came on as Ferguson looked to turn the screw on the hosts - and it almost had an immediate effect.



After Van Persie saw an effort saved by Davis, the Saints goalkeeper sent a terrible miskick straight to substitute Nani on the left.



The ball was worked into the box and Jos Hooiveld conceded a penalty for a sliding challenge on the former Arsenal striker.



Van Persie took the resulting penalty but his chip was saved by Davis, much to the delight of the home faithful.



Debutant Emmanuel Mayuka was among three changes made by manager Nigel Adkins as he looked to close out the game under immense United pressure.



Javier Hernandez headed across the face of goal in the dying minutes, before he was then denied by a late Clyne tackle.



However, Saints could not stop United grabbing a later equaliser as Ferdinand's header came back off the post and Van Persie directed home three minutes from time.



Things got worse for the hosts in stoppage time as Van Persie nodded home Nani's cross to ensure the three points would go back to Old Trafford.