Fenerbahçe manager Vitor Pereira has denied being at odds with striker Robin van Persie in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Ajax game.

Pereira was quoted by Eurosport as saying: “I have never had a problem with Van Persie the only reason he had not been starting is because he wasn’t match fit yet.”

The Portuguese manager also denied rumours linking Van Persie with a move to Barcelona.

“I have heard nothing about that and neither has the board,” he added.

Van Persie was rumoured to have had a spat with Pereira after starting the last few matches on the bench however, the Dutch star did get to start on the weekend against Kayserispor and scored the winning goal.

The experienced striker already has five goals for his new club this season and is expected to feature against Ajax in the Europa League on Thursday and the Intercontinental derby against Galatasaray on the weekend.

Van Persie joined Galatasaray on a three-year deal from Manchester United over the summer transfer window. The Istanbul giants are currently 3rd on goal difference in the Turkish Super League but last in their Europa League group with one point after two games.