Robin van Persie to make Manchester United debut at Everton, says Sir Alex Ferguson, as Arsenal deal agreed

 

Sir Alex Ferguson is confident Robin van Persie will be available to make his Manchester United debut against Everton on Monday night.
United announced last night that they had agreed a fee with Arsenal for the Holland striker, subject to him settling personal terms and passing a medical, which he will undergo in Manchester today.
Ferguson said: "He's not signed yet, but a fee has been agreed. He is on his way up from London for a medical later this afternoon.
"We hope that goes according to plan. His agent is in discussions with (United chief executive) David Gill right about now.
"We hope all the things will be tied up, although sometimes medicals do take a bit longer. I am sure he will be available for Monday's game."
Ferguson likened his present situation to that which he had in 1999 when Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke scored 53 goals during United's Treble-winning campaign, reinforced by Champions League final heroes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
"They (Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie) are two fantastic players and it will be great to have both of them," said Ferguson.
"What it gives us is more strength and combinations up front.
"Going back to the 1999 season we had Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the four best strikers in Europe.
"We are going towards that now with Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney, Robin, Danny Welbeck and Shinji Kagawa.
"It is a fantastic collection of players and hopefully I pick the right combinations
"It is great to have a player of Robin van Persie's qualities to come into the squad. I am very pleased."
Meanwhile Rooney was full of praise for his colleague Tom Cleverley after the 23-year-old impressed for both Team GB at the Olympics and England in their friendly against Italy on Wednesday.
"Tom was fantastic at the Olympics," he said. "He started the season really well last season but unfortunately got injured. He worked hard to get back fit and it's shown now that the Olympics have helped him.
"He looked fit and sharp last night and had a great game for England. That's only going to be good for us and I'm looking forward to getting him back playing."