MANCHESTER - Manchester United manager David Moyes has dismissed suggestions that Dutch striker Robin van Persie is unhappy at Old Trafford after a shock 1-0 loss at home to Newcastle United.
The defending champions have now lost five matches in the Premier League, which is the same number of defeats they suffered in each of the last two seasons.
Van Persie returned to the starting XI for the Newcastle match on Saturday following almost a month out with a groin problem.
Former Liverpool player and television pundit Mark Lawrenson has claimed that the Dutchman is not content at United and may even have submitted a transfer request.
But Moyes is adamant that he has no problems with the striker and issued a forceful rebuttal of the claims.
"That is absolute nonsense. I don't know what harder or tougher word I could say, but that's as good as I've got," said the Scot.
Moyes insisted that United's ongoing problems were not down to him attempting to change too much since he succeeded Alex Ferguson at the end of last season.
Marouane Fellaini, a £27.5-million (R465-million) signing from Moyes's former club Everton, was the only major new arrival during the close season.
A small section of United supporters booed the team off at the final whistle, but Moyes maintained that the fans accepted the job he was facing.
"Change it? I don't think I've changed anything. It's the sameplayers," he said.
"I've brought one player in and I would have done that anyway. If I'd changed it, there might be something to be critical of, but we've gone along with basically the same players and introduced young Adnan [Januzaj] into the team, so I don't think we've made any changes.
"Manchester United supporters have been great to me and the club. They understand there's a great transition going on here."
Yohan Cabaye scored the only goal of the game as United fell 1-0 at home to Newcastle on Saturday. It was the visitors' first victory at Old Trafford since 1972.
Claims on striker nonsense - Moyes
MANCHESTER - Manchester United manager David Moyes has dismissed suggestions that Dutch striker Robin van Persie is unhappy at Old Trafford after a shock 1-0 loss at home to Newcastle United.
The defending champions have now lost five matches in the Premier League, which is the same number of defeats they suffered in each of the last two seasons.
Van Persie returned to the starting XI for the Newcastle match on Saturday following almost a month out with a groin problem.
Former Liverpool player and television pundit Mark Lawrenson has claimed that the Dutchman is not content at United and may even have submitted a transfer request.
But Moyes is adamant that he has no problems with the striker and issued a forceful rebuttal of the claims.
"That is absolute nonsense. I don't know what harder or tougher word I could say, but that's as good as I've got," said the Scot.
Moyes insisted that United's ongoing problems were not down to him attempting to change too much since he succeeded Alex Ferguson at the end of last season.
Marouane Fellaini, a £27.5-million (R465-million) signing from Moyes's former club Everton, was the only major new arrival during the close season.
A small section of United supporters booed the team off at the final whistle, but Moyes maintained that the fans accepted the job he was facing.
"Change it? I don't think I've changed anything. It's the sameplayers," he said.
"I've brought one player in and I would have done that anyway. If I'd changed it, there might be something to be critical of, but we've gone along with basically the same players and introduced young Adnan [Januzaj] into the team, so I don't think we've made any changes.
"Manchester United supporters have been great to me and the club. They understand there's a great transition going on here."
Yohan Cabaye scored the only goal of the game as United fell 1-0 at home to Newcastle on Saturday. It was the visitors' first victory at Old Trafford since 1972.
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