Van Persie to miss Arsenal reunion

Bad news, narrative junkies. Robin van Persie, who limped out of Saturday's 2-1 loss at Swansea and was later seen hobbling around on crutches, will be out for two weeks with an ankle injury. As such, he'll miss this weekend's home game against Sunderland, the midweek trip to Newcastle, and then next Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal.

With James Wilson a doubt for Saturday with a dead leg, Radamel Falcao might get another chance (a last chance?) to earn himself the right to remain in the No. 9 shirt. Alternatively, Wayne Rooney might find himself up front on his own, or with Marouane Fellaini for company. Still, it's not like a fit Van Persie has been setting the world on fire, or even making the world particularly warm.

We don't know, in other words. But tBB is trying its best to stay relaxed about the situation. As long as Angel di Maria doesn't get stuck up there again, we're fine. Absolutely fine. Not nervous at all.

Update: he might be out even longer.

Speaking in his press conference, van Gaal says on van Persie's injury: "An ankle problem takes a long time - it’s not one or two weeks."

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 27, 2015