Robin van Persie: Manchester United striker backs Moyes

Striker Robin van Persie has given his backing to David Moyes as the Manchester United boss looks to address the club's stop-start season.

Moyes, in his first season in charge, has guided the Premier League champions to the last 16 of the Champions League as well as the League Cup semi-finals.

But they lie seventh in the league and are out of the FA Cup.

"Moyes needs time, he's new," said Van Persie. "The manager is our leading man and he will change things around."

Van Persie, who has been sidelined for a month with a thigh problem, is confident United's fortunes will improve "sooner rather than later".

"We lost too many points this year, but we are doing everything we can to change that," said the 30-year-old Dutchman.

Van Persie, a £24m signing from Arsenal in August 2012, was a key figure for United last season, scoring 30 goals in all competitions as they claimed a 13th Premier League title.

It was the last of 38 trophies for Sir Alex Ferguson as United manager before stepping down at the end of the season.

In contrast, Moyes arrived from Everton without a top-level trophy as manager, although that soon changed when United beat FA Cup winners Wigan to lift the Community Shield on 11 August.

Van Persie says Moyes was surprised when the United players refused to get too carried away following that 2-0 success at Wembley.

"We are used to winning," said Van Persie. "If you win, it's a normal day at the office. After the Community Shield win, none of the players really celebrated, or played music, as it was the way things were."