Robin van Persie hits back at critics: 'I deserve Netherlands captaincy'

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has hit back at critics who have claimed that he does not deserve to be captain of the Netherlands.

The forward's leadership abilities have come into question following his country's poor start to their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, but he insists that he has earned his position as skipper.

"I have the feeling I'm in the middle of the group. The critics don't hurt me, because I get appreciated by people who can really judge," he told reporters.

"I receive the appreciation and feel it every day. The Netherlands is a country with a lot of opinions. Those get harder and harder, increasingly ruthless. That's a trend. I have to deal with it.

"Everyone can have his opinion. That's the world we live in. I was chosen by Louis van Gaal on the basis of who I am and what I did and am doing. I don't see why I should change."

The Netherlands currently sit in third place in their qualifying group, six points off the pace, following defeats to Iceland and the Czech Republic.