Robin van Persie is unlikely to be fit to face Manchester City in the Manchester derby later this month, Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has revealed.
The Dutch striker has been out of action since picking up an ankle injury against Swansea City in February. He has so far missed five matches due to the niggle.
Manchester United are due to face Manchester City on 12th April as they continue their bid to finish above the Citizens this term.
But they are likely to have to do so without Van Persie, with manager Louis van Gaal being quoted as saying by the BBC when asked if he could play against Manchester City: "I don't think so.
"The process has to give me signals he is ready for that but I know that from my experience it is not like that."
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Wayne Rooney has been pushed up to a central striking role in Van Persie's stead of late, relegating Radamel Falcao to the substitutes' bench.
The Colombian had been hoping to receive his chance to impress in Van Persie's absence, but Van Gaal has repeatedly preferred other options when it comes to picking his side's spearhead.
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