Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has insisted that he is in need of a break following his World Cup campaign with the Netherlands.

The 30-year-old spent six weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury towards the end of last season, but regained fitness for his nation's trip to Brazil.

After starting six of the Netherlands' seven games and scoring four goals before ending the campaign in third place, Van Persie has been given some time off.

"I need the three weeks' break," Sky Sports News quotes Van Persie as saying. "The World Cup has been heavy going for me.

"I gave everything I had in every single game. That was it - I had nothing left. We worked really hard at the finals, and we are like lemons that have been squeezed dry."

Van Persie will team up with Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal for the new season as the Dutch coach prepares to begin his role as the new United manager.