Louis van Gaal: 'Robin van Persie was lucky to keep his place'

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has admitted that Robin van Persie was lucky to keep his place in the team when he was struggling for form.

The Dutchman failed to find the net for the Red Devils in November in their matches against Manchester City, Crystal Palace and Arsenal, which almost forced Van Gaal to drop the 31-year-old.

However, Van Gaal has revealed that his lack of options up front prevented him from making the switch as Radamel Falcao struggled for fitness, leaving him with the choice of Van Persie or youngster James Wilson.

"Robin wasn't playing very well so then you have to compare him with other players, and he was a lucky boy," Van Gaal told reporters.

"At that time, Falcao was injured and I had to compare him with Wayne Rooney and James Wilson. With Rooney, I can play him in a lot of positions, and Wilson is a young talent and he has to show himself in training sessions.

"I have already explained what I like in a striker. It is not only making goals but also being an attacking point to see the third man, so that we can create space and play with each other. And Van Persie is one of the best strikers at doing that."

Van Persie has scored six goals for United in the Premier League this season.