Robin van Persie: Man Utd striker to miss Ballon d'Or ceremony

Robin van Persie has scored seven goals in eight Premier League appearances against Southampton

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie will have a scan on Monday on a damaged ankle and will miss the Ballon d'Or ceremony, despite being in the running for goal of the year.

The Netherlands international suffered the injury during United's 1-0 home defeat by Southampton on Sunday.

Van Persie was due in Zurich after being nominated for his 2014 World Cup diving header against Spain.

But United boss Louis van Gaal said Van Persie would not be attending.

The Dutchman was forced off in the 61st minute as Southampton leapfrogged United into third spot in the Premier League.

The 31-year-old is competing with Real Madrid's Colombia international James Rodriguez and Republic of Ireland women's international Stephanie Roche for the Puskas Award, named after the great Hungarian Ferenc Puskas.

Van Persie tweeted: "On advice of the club medical staff I am unable to fly out to Zurich to attend the Fifa Ballon d'Or gala for my nomination for the Puskas award.

"I will be watching it from home and my good friend Ruud Gullit will take the honours for me."