Four key games Manchester United’s Robin van Persie will miss through injury

Manchester United’s European hopes have been dealt a huge blow with the news Robin van Persie will be sidelines for ‘four to six weeks’.

The striker was stretchered off during United’s 3-0 victory over Olympiakos in midweek, in which the Dutchman scored a hat-trick.

And the news today emerged he could be out of action until the beginning of May with a twisted knee.

It comes as a blow to United’s hopes in both the Champions League and Premier League, where they remain 12 points adrift of the top four.

Here are the key games Van Persie will sit out.

Manchester United v Manchester City (Tuesday March 25)

Tuesday’s Manchester derby will see both Van Persie and City’s Sergio Aguero missing through injury. It is a match David Moyes and his players will be desperate to win to make amends for heir 4-1 defeat to their local rivals earlier in the season, as well as the 3-0 humiliation by Liverpool last weekend.

Manchester United v Bayern Munich (Tuesday April 1)

The home leg of this tough tie could prove crucial for United, who look as though they will need to win this year’s Champions League to qualify for next season’s competition.

Bayern Munich v Manchester United (Wednesday April 9)

Van Persie is also set to miss the away leg against the reigning European champions, which takes place just a week after they meet at Old Trafford.

Everton v Manchester United (Sunday April 20)

This could prove a huge match for David Moyes and his team, not just on a personal level as the Scot makes his first return to Goodison Park, but in the race to qualify for Europe. Barring any major mishaps, this season’s top four looks to be fairly well sewn up already, leaving Spurs, Everton and Man United to battle it out for a Europa League spot.