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Former United captain Gary Neville believes Robin van Persie's teammates are struggling to offer the Dutch striker service up front.

Van Persie has scored three Premier League goals in nine starts this campaign amid calls from some supporters to drop him.

The 31-year-old was replaced by James Wilson during Sunday's derby defeat but Neville reckons Michael Carrick's return to the first-team could benefit Van Persie.

"He's got to do better in long situations and needs to make better runs," Neville said about Van Persie on Monday Night Football.

"But his teammates aren't finding him as much as [Paul] Scholes and [Michael] Carrick were two years ago.

"I called him a burglar before - he lives off the back of centre-backs. The type of pass he wants is into space.

"In defence of Van Persie, I don't think his teammates are in sync as they were two years ago. Maybe Carrick coming back will help him."

Neville added Van Persie "needs to do a lot better" holding the ball up.

"He's got to do far better in those situations," Neville stressed.

"He doesn't make enough of those runs - I don't think - anymore. He needs to start making better runs but his teammates certainly need to start having a better intent to find him."

Carrick impressed in a central defensive role at City and could start there again against Crystal Palace on Saturday.