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Robin van Persie might not be back to aid United’s top four battle until after the international break.

The Dutch striker has been absent with an ankle injury since hobbling off at the Liberty Stadium in the 2-1 defeat to Swansea and has missed three matches since.

The 2013 Golden Boot winner is set to miss the next game against Tottenham and then the trip to Liverpool.

The clubs then break for internationals before the Reds return for Premier League action at Old Trafford against Aston Villa on Easter Saturday.

Van Persie is doing some form of training but has not yet joined the first team squad.

“He is still with the medical department. You have to make a step to get to our department,” explained Van Gaal.

“He is always training but is training inside, not outside on the pitch. That is when he makes the step from the technical department. Then he has to train with us.”

But with Van Persie KO’d, Falcao struggling for form and rookie James Wilson not appearing since a substitute showing against Burnley last month at Old Trafford the striker stage is set to be Wayne Rooney’s.

The United and England captain has scored three goals in the last three matches since he was restored to the front man role against Preston in the FA Cup last month.







But Van Gaal hasn’t completely changed his mind set on Rooney’s role.

“At that time (when Rooney was in midfield), I have said, I had a lot of players and I wanted to use the best ones I had,” added Louis.

“I saw the training sessions. I looked at the composition of my team and the game plan of my opponent and the game plan we have for what players I use in what position.

“At that time, it was what I decided. Not only me but my staff.

“Now, in this moment, I think it is better to play Rooney up front.

“But it can be another line-up in the next game. It depends on what I see, what the game plan of my opponent and then also from the suspensions I have or the injured players, the composition of the team.

“I have said that Rooney is a striker who can also play in midfield. He has shown that. He has also played - once - as a defensive or holding midfielder.”

United will be without Jonny Evans again against Spurs as he is serving his six-match ban for the spitting incident at Newcastle and Angel di Maria is banned after his sending off against Arsenal for two yellow cards.

Argentine defender Marcos Rojo has a “slight problem” but is expected to still play against Tottenham.

Click below to see how United fans rated the players against Arsenal