Robin van Persie is expected to miss Manchester United’s trip to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday due to an ankle problem.

The club hopes this will be the only game he is out for, though it may offer Radamel Falcao a lifeline after being dropped.

Van Persie suffered the injury in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Southampton at Old Trafford. The 31-year-old was forced off after 61 minutes before he headed straight towards the tunnel for treatment.

The Dutchman should be available again for Friday-week’s trip to Cambridge United in the FA Cup fourth round though whether Louis van Gaal will select him is unclear after the striker did not feature in the previous round at Yeovil Town.

Falcao was left out of the match-day 18 for Southampton, Van Gaal admitting afterwards that he preferred the pace of James Wilson who was a substitute. However, given Van Persie’s expected absence at Loftus Road Falcao could earn a recall and a chance to impress as he fights for his United future.

Jorge Mendes, Falcao’s agent, admitted earlier this week that he was unsure if the Colombian will still be at the club for next term when his £16m loan deal from Monaco ends in the close season.