The Football Transfer Tavern is in shock this evening as it emerges from BBC Sport that Robin van Persie wants to extend his stay at Manchester United after he admitted he is ‘very happy’ at Old Trafford.

The Dutch international forward was the key man in Sir Alex Ferguson final season in charge as United secured last season’s Premier League with van Persie hitting 30 goals in his 46 appearances for the club.

While he has failed to find the same heights of last season, the former Arsenal man has still managed to bag 14 goals in 23 matches for the Red Devils.

However recent suggestions in the tavern have indicated that the striker is currently not enjoying Moyes’ training sessions and is worried about the club’s decline over the past season.

This gossip has now been put to bed as the forward reveals that he would actually be interested in extending his contract at Old Trafford, despite two-years remaining on his existing deal.

“I don’t mind if my performances get dissected and people criticise what I’ve done on the pitch,” van Persie said on the club’s official website

“They can talk about my game 24/7 for all I care… and a lot of those opinions and criticisms may actually be right. So I don’t mind that.

“The truth is I’m very happy here at this club. I signed for four years and I’d be delighted to stay even longer, beyond the next two years I have left on my contract. This is how I feel, although it’s not what has been suggested in the media.”

Regarding any thought that van Persie is not impressed with Moyes has also been dismissed with the striker confirming he is becoming a better player under the former Everton man.

He added: “I’m very happy with my team-mates and I’m very happy with my manager and his staff. The sessions we have on the training ground are fantastic and I’m learning a lot from them every day.

“I’ve been a professional footballer for 12 years now and there’s no doubt I’m learning new things and progressing with David Moyes.

“Like I said, talk about my performances or talk about a tackle that was too late. I don’t mind. But it goes too far when people start suggesting, amongst other things, that I have a bad understanding with the manager. That’s not true at all.

“I can tell you that Moyes’ sessions and the things he says in his team meetings are spot-on. I really enjoy working under him and I’m absolutely convinced things will pick up and we’ll turn it around.”