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Clutching his designer manbag and freshly showered, Robin van Persie formed part of the first group out of the United dressing room not long after time was blown on Saturday's 3-0 win over West Brom.

Accompanied by unused substitutes he briskly strode, head down, past reporters in the mixed zone towards the team bus.

While it would be wrong to suggest that this proves the Dutchman wants out, that he was keen to leave behind his celebrating team mates so quickly speaks volumes.

It would also be wrong not to mention his assist for United’s opener. But this was an afternoon when Robin struggled to stay on his perch.

David Moyes, as he would, claimed the decision to substitute the already-booked van Persie in the 63rd minute was thanks to his exertions for Holland in midweek and not because he had morphed into a walking red card lucky to still be on the field after a brainless challenge on Steven Reid.

“Robin knew exactly what was happening,” he said.

“I told him. I walked over and told him that I was going to have to take him off but it was the right decision.

“It was a foul, but I just felt that one more foul could have led to something else. It made my job easy.

“He played 90 minutes for Holland in midweek and I was never going to play him for another 90 minutes today.”

Only the most blindingly optimistic member of the van Persie fan club would swallow that.

This was a public show of discipline from the manager. Aside from the assist van Persie had spent much of the afternoon waving his arms in frustration at his team-mates. Despite winning the ball from Reid he was fortunate to stay on after following through and sending him tumbling to the ground.

He would not be so fortunate moments later when the board was raised with his number on it. Shaking his head he sauntered reluctantly to the dugout. Reid had already departed, injured.

Moments later Moyes will have felt vindication. Danny Welbeck, van Persie’s willing replacement, slotted in neatly. With United looking more balanced Rooney quickly made it three and Welbeck finished the job.

While it may have only been West Brom it was a glimpse that there could be life without the 30-year-old.

Reports surfaced yesterday that United would be willing to let van Persie leave if they could secure the services of Edinson Cavani.

Moyes is known to be an admirer of the Uruguayan powerhouse and the eye-watering £58m figure quoted should be within the Reds’ reach.

The club would not be drawn on names but M.E.N. Sport understands that Moyes has drawn up a list of targets and is looking to get his business done before the World Cup kicks off on June 12.

That would indicate lessons have been learned from last year’s last-minute shambles and that van Persie could be on his way sooner rather than later. To dispense with his services could be a career-defining move for Moyes.

The Scot was chosen because of his similarities with his predecessor and compatriot.

Sir Alex was never shy in shunting players he thought were past their sell-by date.

One of those was another moody Dutch striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was eventually sent to Real Madrid.

With his decision to bench club captain Nemanja Vidic at West Brom after Inter announced he would be joining them at the end of the season, Moyes has shown he is not afraid to act and has one eye on the future.

If Longsight lad Welbeck is chosen to start against the old enemy from across the East Lancs on Sunday it could be the clearest indication yet that another prolific Dutchman will soon be on his bike out of Old Trafford.