David Moyes has confirmed the ex-Arsenal striker is unavailable for the clash against their rivals but could be fit in time for their match against West Brom

Robin van Persie is out of Manchester United’s Capital One Cup clash with Liverpool on Wednesday due to injury.

The striker picked up a groin problem prior to the 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday and did not feature at the Etihad Stadium.

David Moyes has confirmed the Dutchman will not be involved at Old Trafford, but has an “outside chance” of featuring against West Brom in the Premier League on September 28.

Speaking at press conference ahead of the Liverpool match, Moyes said: “I don’t think Robin will play on Wednesday. But I think he’ll have an outside chance for Saturday.”

Moyes also believes it is time to move on from their convincing derby day weekend defeat and believes he will learn more about his players character in the coming weeks.

He continued: “It’s gone now. I can’t do anything about it so we move on and get ready for the next game.

“I’m still getting to know all the players. I’ll get to know a few more this week and see what they can do.”

Finally he talked up the rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool and hinted he will include a number of established players for the Capital One Cup clash, in a match which could mark Luis Suarez’s return to competitive action for Merseyside outfit.

He added: “It’s a big rivalry and it could take on a bigger significance than people might expect.

“I think it means that Liverpool have a got a really good player. Does it change the complexion? I don’t know. I’m not looking at Liverpool too much except that I know the quality of Luis Suarez is very good.

“The cup has been a route to giving young players an opportunity, but obviously this is a really big tie.”

Manchester United currently sit in eighth spot in the Premier League, having taken seven points from their opening five league matches.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is set to make his return from suspension to face rivals Manchester United in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday.

 
The Uruguayan completed his 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic by missing the club’s 1-0 defeat to Southampton at Anfield on Saturday.
 
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted a decision on Suarez’s participation in the Capital One Cup is yet to be made but he claimed the 26-year-old will be ready to play should he be called upon.
 
“It has been a really difficult time for him not playing games,” he said. “How he has prepared himself over the last number of weeks has been fantastic.
 

“He’s really champing at the bit to help the team. Everyone knows the depth of his quality and his attitude. Once he gets back on the field again he will show what he has shown since he’s been here.”
 
Suarez has scored four goals in five Capital One Cup appearances for Liverpool, and will be keen to make a goalscoring return to the side at Old Trafford.
 
United’s ability to call on their main goal threat is shrouded in doubt, however, after Robin van Persie missed Sunday’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City with a groin injury.
 
These teams have met on four occasions in this competition in the past – two of them in finals – with Liverpool boasting a superior record having won three of those.
 
Their last encounter in the Capital One Cup came in the 2003 final, when goals from Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen helped Liverpool clinch the trophy at the Millennium Stadium.
 
As well as Van Persie, United have injury concerns over Phil Jones (ankle) and Rafael (hamstring), and David Moyes may use the competition to rotate his players after the disappointing defeat on Sunday.
 
Rodgers may have Suarez available for selection, but he will be without Glen Johnson (ankle), Philippe Coutinho (shoulder), Joe Allen (hamstring) and Aly Cissokho (ankle), while Sebastian Coates is sidelined with a long-term knee injury.
 
The Northern Irishman will also assess the fitness of Daniel Agger (rib) before deciding whether to play the Denmark international.

The Brazilian picked up a shoulder injury during the Reds’ Premier League clash with Swansea, but insists his recovery is on track and hopes to return ahead of schedule

Coutinho has reassured Liverpool fans that surgery to fix his shoulder problem has been successful and his recovery is going to plan.

The Brazilian sustained the injury after landing heavily following a collision during the Reds’ Premier League clash with Swansea, and is expected to be out of action until the end of October.

But the player himself has now revealed his treatment is going well, and insists he will do his best to return to action earlier than planned.

“It’s annoying to get injured, especially when you are playing well, but that happens,” Coutinho told Globo Esporte.

“I now want to focus on my recovery and do everything right to be back as soon as possible to help Liverpool in the league.

“The surgery was a success and this is what matters the most. I’ll be back soon.”

Coutinho will be in contention for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Brazil squad for this summer’s World Cup if he can maintain his promising start to life in Liverpool, and admits a place at the tournament is his dream.

“I dream of getting called up again for the national team, but it’s only up to me,” he added.

“Of course it’s bad when you get injured in a moment like this, but this is football.

“I have had a set-back and my concern is being fully ready as soon as possible. If I play well, things will happen naturally.”