Dutch unrest as Memphis Depay and Robin van Persie clash

Manchester United forward Memphis Depay has been involved in a spat with former Red Devils striker Robin van Persie during a Holland training session.

Following reports of a bust-up occurring between the pair prior to Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Kazakhstan, Dutch national team boss Danny Blind confirmed yesterday there had been an incident but was keen to play it down.

Blind, quoted by www.telegraaf.nl, said: “There are sometimes situations in training where players think different. Then you talk about it. That’s what happened and then it’s over.”

Blind, whose son is Depay’s United team-mate Daley Blind, also stressed the episode had no role in his decision to leave Van Persie out of his starting XI for the Kazakhstan game.

Van Persie is his country’s all-time top-scorer with 49 goals in 100 caps after his late substitute appearance on Saturday. The Dutch must beat the Czech Republic in Group A tonight and hope Turkey come unstuck at home to Iceland to make the Euro 2016 play-offs.