Van Persie won't be ready in time for Liverpool test as Moyes plans changes for Capital One Cup clash after 'shock' City loss



Robin van Persie is not fit enough to make a return in Manchester United's Capital One Cup third round clash with Liverpool on Wednesday evening and has only an 'outside chance' of being ready for Saturday's Premier League match with West Brom.

The Dutchman sustained a groin injury that kept him out of the 4-1 derby humiliation against Manchester City on Sunday and has not trained this week.

He was pictured out and about on Monday leaving a chemists in Alderley Edge with a box of athlete's foot cream but hasn't been at Carrington.



Not ready: Robin van Persie has not trained with Manchester United this week and won't play against Liverpool, but he was pictured on Monday popping to the chemists for some athlete's foot cream

Bouncing back: David Moyes needs a response from his players in the Capital One Cup tie with Liverpool after the 4-1 humiliation at the hands of Manchester City on Sunday

Speaking ahead of the match, Moyes said: 'I don't think Robin will play [against Liverpool]. He will have an outside chance of playing on Saturday.'

Reflecting on Sunday's thrashing at the Etihad Stadium and looking ahead to the Liverpool match, Moyes said: 'It's gone. I can't do anything about it. It shocked me but when you have been a manager as long as I have you do get shocks.



'It's good that we are playing again. It's the best way. I am still learning about players and I will no doubt learn more this week after what happened.



'It does not matter if I have seen a reaction from the players does it? It has to be seen by other people.

Turnaround: Moyes said that the performance at City shocked him but was grateful the Liverpool game came so soon afterwards

'The draw in this cup sometimes helps you but this is a really big tie. I am motivated by every game. Not just because of what happened.

'It's always a big game when you play a cup game and Liverpool are our big rivals. I always look to rotate and give young players a chance.



'Maybe this does take on more significance. Luis Suarez coming back means that Liverpool will have a really good player.'

Moyes would not comment on the revelation by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez that United made a bid for Gareth Bale in the summer.



Perez had told Cadena SER radio: 'Tottenham did not want to sell. We learned that Manchester United had made an offer and we made one ourselves.'



But Moyes replied: 'If we did make a bid I wouldn't tell you. We don't talk about players. I would not comment on that.'

No bid: Moyes would not comment on Florentino Perez's claims that United had bid for Gareth Bale in the summer

Moyes is expected to make a number of changes for the cup tie at Old Trafford, including a first start of the season for Javier Hernandez.

The Mexican has made three substitute appearances so far this season as Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck have been favoured in the forward line.

Shinji Kagawa, whose only start came in the Champions League opener with Bayer Leverkusen last week, could also play.

Benched: Jonny Evans (back left) and Javier Hernandez (back right) are in line to start against Liverpool

Nani and Jonny Evans are also likely starters for the Liverpool match but it will come too soon for long-term absentee Darren Fletcher.

The Scottish midfielder, who has managed just 13 games since being diagnosed with a chronic bowel condition in December 2011, is close to a return and was included in United's 25-man Premier League squad for the season.



Close to a return: Darren Fletcher is working to regain his match sharpness

He has been working with United's physios to regain his match sharpness.

