Robin van Persie is the subject of a bid from Manchester United PICTURE: Getty Images  

RVP 6-4 to start Man United’s opening game

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed making a bid for Arsenal striker Robin van Persie and will be hoping to get the Dutchman on board before their first Premier League match on August 20.

Ferguson admitted the Gunners would be reluctant to do business but the chances of a quick deal being struck are rated fairly high by Hills, who offer just 6-4 that van Persie starts United’s first game of the season away to Everton and 1-2 that he doesn’t.

United still have money to spend after their quest to sign Brazilian teenager Lucas Moura was scuppered by the midfielder’s transfer to cash-rich Paris St-Germain.

Four years ago they left it until the last moment to seal a deal for Dimitar Berbatov, but the Bulgarian looks set to be one of the players heading for the Old Trafford exit.

Zenit St Petersburg are Hills’s 6-4 favourites to sign the 31-year-old but the possibility of a switch to a Premier League rival cannot be ruled out with QPR priced up at 8-1 and West Ham available at 14-1. Portsmouth were a step closer to salvation last night after reaching a compromise with high earner Tal Ben Haim, who has left the club.