Breaking News: Van Persie under pressure after 'very bad' Arsenal game - Van Gaal

The Netherlands international touched the ball just 13 times against Arsenal last weekend and his manager admits the striker may lose his place in the club's starting XI

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admits Robin van Persie is under pressure to perform, after his “very bad game” against Arsenal last weekend.

The striker touched the ball just 13 times during the 2-1 win at the Emirates and was replaced by substitute James Wilson in the second half.

Van Gaal broke his policy of speaking about individual performances ahead of United’s clash with Hull City this weekend and admitted that he replaced the Dutchman because his performance was not good enough, and added his belief that Van Persie has lost his self-confidence after a series of below-par displays.

“I also had a striker, an international striker, Mario Gomez who touched the ball nine times in matches at Bayern Munich in my time,” he told reporters.

“But I do think 13 is too few for a striker. You can count his touches of the ball but more important is how he is playing and it was a very bad game from him and that is why I changed him.

“When I change a player it is not because he is the best player on the pitch, or I would be doing something wrong.

“I believe in the players so when I change players it is normally because they are doing something not good in their performance.

“It’s a question also of confidence, maybe a question of scoring a wonderful goal at the right moment. You know how strikers are. They have to score goals. They feel like that, it’s not that I’m asking that. I have said to them you have to be at an attacking point, you have to help our team come and search for space.

“For me, it is not important who is scoring, the team have to score.”

Van Gaal also hinted that Van Persie may lose his place in his starting XI this weekend, with Wilson and a fit-again Radamel Falcao in line to take to the field against Steve Bruce’s side.

“Every player in my selection has to fight for his position,” he said.

“I shall always take the best of the players and it has to be suitable for the mix of players.”

Van Persie has scored three goals in 11 Premier League outings so far this season.