Crisis-hit United have been warned they face losing striker Robin van Persie if they don’t recruit the star talent to arrest their alarming slump under David Moyes.

The Dutch hitman has been the focus of stories linking him with an Old Trafford exit and claiming he is unhappy under Moyes, after he lead the Reds to the Premier League title as former boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s talisman last season.

Now Holland legend Ronald de Boer has said RVP, a £24m recruit from Arsenal in August 2012, isn’t enjoying playing for Fergie’s replacement as the champions languish in seventh place in the table.

And he claimed his countryman will be off if Moyes - who has a £100m warchest - fails to buy big in the summer.

“Van Persie wants to compete for trophies and everything this year looks out of sight,” de Boer said.

“It’s very disappointing for a player of his quality. I don’t think he’s enjoying the football United are playing. He’s a team player but he likes to play beautiful football and that isn’t the case at the moment.

“Man United need to refresh their squad. Some of their players have had fantastic careers but it’s time to move over and let some youngsters come through.

“Robin feels that, if this is happening, he will of course stay. But, if there’s no investment in new, young, great players from other clubs, then he will move.”