Robin van Persie has admitted the uncertainty over his future at Manchester United is a “strange” situation and that any decision he takes will be influenced by his family’s wellbeing.

Van Persie, who will be 32 in August, has a year left on his contract. Louis van Gaal has refused to confirm the striker will be at the club next season and the manager will consider offers.

Van Persie scored only 10 goals as United finished in fourth place. While his campaign was once more disrupted by injury, Van Persie found himself behind the misfiring Radamel Falcao towards the end of the season.

This completed a notable fall in his status at United. Van Persie had begun the season among the contenders to be United’s captain, having led Holland at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when Van Gaal was in charge.

Van Persie said: “It’s a strange, difficult situation. A new situation, that’s a better word. I have to think in a realistic way. It’s my ambition to play the next years. I’m thinking about my family and my children with every decision I take. These are very important for me. I’m a real family guy. I think it’s fantastic to see how happy my children and wife are. That’s something I take into consideration when I’m thinking about my future.”

Van Persie admitted his 10-goal tally was not enough, although he brushed off the criticism he received.

“That’s at least seven goals short but I think it’s a compliment people don’t accept it. Manchester United is a beast and that has two sides. Manchester United is viewed and followed by more people than at other clubs, and also more media. I have to deal with that. I made that choice and must accept the consequences,” he said.

Unacceptable

José Mourinho has offered Ruben Loftus-Cheek a timely reminder of what is expected of him as a

Chelsea

first-team player by branding the teenager’s display in the friendly win over

Sydney

FC as unacceptable.

Loftus-Cheek had been replaced by Jeremie Boga in the starting line-up shortly before the kick-off but was introduced for Diego Costa just before the interval. After only 27 minutes on the pitch, he was substituted for Jordan Houghton with his manager distinctly unimpressed with the midfielder's performance.

“Ruben was saying he had a pain in his back but what I was feeling was that he only had this pain when Sydney had the ball,” said Mourinho, whose side won 1-0 courtesy of Loïc Rémy. Guardian Service