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Tough nut Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has ­revealed his ruthless streak – by telling Robin van Persie he WON’T start the season for Manchester United, writes Steve Bates in the Sunday People.

Van Persie returns from his holidays to start pre-season training at the Old Trafford giants' Carrington base on Monday after being given extra time off after Holland’s third place at the World Cup.

But even though the striker – 31 on Wednesday – is desperate to start in the season’s Premier League opener against Swansea at Old Trafford, Van Gaal says he will play only when he tells him.

The Reds' new manager said: “Robin wants to play every game, I know that, but so do the other 30 players in the squad. But players have to train and Robin needs a full training regime behind him before he can play again.”

Louis van Gaal's career in pictures:

Van Gaal has made it clear he will not rush Van Persie back into action after the striker went the distance with Holland at the World Cup, and he will start conditioning work on Monday after a three-week holiday.

He added: “Robin will begin training on Monday, but he won’t play in the friendly against Valencia on August 12, definitely not.

“And he won’t play in the Premier League at the start either, I think. People can criticise me for that decision but I know what you have to do with players who have had three weeks’ holiday.

“Hopefully, Robin will get his fitness back very fast. But at this moment, he won’t be playing."

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