By VINCE MADURI

Robin van Persie has hinted that the forward may end his career at Old Trafford, citing Sir Alex Ferguson’s track record of getting the most out of older players like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

“For the next few years I will be at Manchester United – and maybe longer. United could be my last club,” Van Persie told Dutch magazine Voetbal International.

“You have a number of clubs in Europe where older players can find it good, where they are valued. You used to have that at Juventus and AC Milan, Manchester United today is a good example. So who knows how long I will stay at the club.

“There is a new challenge for me every day at United. My development is an ongoing process. That gets an extra boost when you are surrounded by new coaches and team-mates, all with their own ideas, in a totally new environment.”

The 29-year-old was acquired by Manchester United from Arsenal in the summer transfer window and has since scored 19 goals in 29 Premier League matches.

ROY HODGSON INSISTS ENGLAND ARE IN CONTROL OVER THEIR DESTINY

Although England only managed to draw Montenegro 1-1 Tuesday, and the southeastern European nation is ahead of the Three Lions by two points in the group, manager Roy Hodgson still insists England are in control over their destiny.

“It’s still in our hands – we have to play Montenegro at home, Poland at home and Ukraine away,” said Hodgson.

“We have three of our four games at home, so we will try to make certain we keep it in our hands by winning those.”

Montenegro lead the group with 14 points, followed by England with 12 then Poland and Ukraine with 8 points apiece.

SUNDERLAND DUO STEVEN FLETCHER AND LEE CATTERMOLE OUT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON

Sunderland have announced the club will be without Steven Fletcher and Lee Cattermole for the remainder of the season due to injuries.

Fletcher picked up an ankle ligament injury while with Scotland this past week.  The forward has scored 11 goals in 28 games for the northern English club.

Meanwhile, Cattermole underwent an operation to repair a damaged knee that has restricted the midfielder to only 14 appearances for the club this season across all competitions.

“Cattermole underwent an operation on his knee and Fletcher sustained ankle ligament damage whilst on international duty with Scotland,” Sunderland said in a statement.

“It is not known at this stage if Fletcher will require an operation, with the injury requiring further assessment in the coming weeks.”