Robin van Persie is taking the criticism directed at him this season as a compliment, pointing out that only Wayne Rooney scored more goals for Manchester United than he did this term, in a campaign he readily admits was not his best.
Rooney hit the back of the net on 14 occasion, while Van Persie netted ten times, the same number as team-mate Juan Mata.
The Dutch striker came in for his share of criticism, with suggestions he has gone off the boil and is now on the downward spiral.
It has even been claimed Manchester United will look to offload Van Persie in the summer due to his poor performances.
The man himself finds the criticism exaggerated, but takes the fact people are talking about him so much as something of a compliment.
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"Actually it's a compliment when people criticise you while only Wayne Rooney has scored more times than I for Manchester United", the former Arsenal hitman told ANP.
"But I have missed crucial opportunities that I would have taken in other years", Van Persie conceded.
Van Persie has just a further year remaining on his contract with the Red Devils and he has yet to be offered an extension, something which has contributed to talk of a move this summer.
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