Initial concerns Robin van Persie wouldn’t play when Manchester United hit Australia for the second leg of its World Tour have proven to be false as the Dutch striker is now an almost certainty to take on the A-League All-Stars on July 20.
The reigning Premier League giants are out to grow an already massive fan base with a six-stop tour playing matches in Bangkok, Sydney, Yokohama, Osaka, Hong Kong and Stockholm this July and August.
Van Persie and Spanish keeper David de Gea were not part of Man U’s contingent flying to east Asia on Wednesday, however van Persie is expected to play while de Gea will be given some extra rest time after recently completing international commitments.
The lone question mark surrounding the 19-man squad is captain Namanja Vidic. The club has yet to offer an explanation to why to Vidic has yet to join the team after training earlier in the week.
New manager David Moyes confirmed new acquisition Wilfried Zaha will be playing in the tour.
“He will travel with us on the tour,” Moyes told talkSPORT.
“He has only been with us for two days but I will take him away, see how he goes and have a look.
“This club has a great record of putting young players in the team. Hopefully Wilfried can be one of them.”
Wayne Rooney’s future with Man U has yet to be resolved, however the striker is also set to take part.
“The club have already stated Wayne is not for sale,” Moyes said.
“I have met Wayne two, three, four times. A lot has been said about myself and Wayne over the years but we have a really good relationship. He came to my house, I have been to his recently to have a chat. Also he is here every day.
Injury and allocated rest times will see Javier Hernandez, Chris Smalling, Ashely Young and Nani miss out on the world tour, ending August 6 against AIK Fotboll in Stockholm.
Get amongst CraveOnlineAU on Twitter and Facebook for daily sport, music, entertainment and gaming news.
Follow Robert White on Twitter @RobertWhitebrrr.
Photo: Getty Images.
