Van Gaal: RVP will be ready

Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal expects Robin van Persie to hit peak fitness for the start of the World Cup.

The Manchester United striker is hoping to get back to his best in Brazil after a frustrating and injury-hit season at Old Trafford.

The 30-year-old has scored in friendlies against Ecuador and Ghana in recent weeks as he steps up his recovery from a knee problem.

Van Persie, who is likely to be given another run-out as the Netherlands take on Wales in Amsterdam tonight, missed six weeks of action towards the end of United’s campaign, returning only for their last three Premier League games.

Van Gaal kept a close eye on Van Persie’s most recent rehabilitation having been given permission by United — the club that would later appoint him as manager — to bring him to a training base in the Netherlands.

The 62-year-old, who will link up with Van Persie full-time at United next season, said: “He is not 100%, but we have two weeks to go. I think he will be 100%.

“He played two matches of 20 or 30 minutes and the last match 70 minutes. We did not expect that as the injury was bad.”