Robin van Persie has returned to training prior to Manchester United’s huge clash with local rivals Manchester City, and manager Louis van Gaal may even find room for the Dutch striker to start. But with United finally having seemed to turn the corner following comprehensive victories over Tottenham, Liverpool and Aston Villa; are they better off without the ageing Van Persie?
The 31 year old’s last outing for The Red Devils was in the 2-1 reverse away at Swansea in February. Since his ankle injury, United have won five games on the spin and catapulted themselves not only into the top four places, but on to the peripheries of the title race.
The Dutchman’s absence has meant Wayne Rooney has finally been given the forward role he so craves, in the process kick starting his most potent run of form of the campaign. Rooney is their captain and their talisman, getting the best out of him invariably leads to the side performing at a much higher level.
In Van Persie’s absence, Van Gaal has adopted a system that seems to suit his players a great deal more. Aside from Rooney’s upturn in form, Mata has enjoyed some of his best moments in a red shirt in the last few weeks – none more so than his virtuoso display against Liverpool. Would Mata have had the freedom to attack so freely had Robin been in his usual striking positions? Doubtful.
In addition to the two aforementioned players, Marouane Fellaini is finally beginning to flourish in a Manchester United shirt, after 18 months of disappointment and resentment from the Old Trafford terraces; the Belgian is finally starting to show why he commanded such a high transfer fee.
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The former Arsenal man’s injury has also meant that Ashley Young has been able to have a genuine run of games in his favoured position and for the first time since his switch from Aston Villa, he is showing glimpses of the man who was central to the national side.
Not only have United seemingly found the right balance without Van Persie and players undoubtedly performing better; his form prior to the injury was been patchy at best – only ten goals and all round performances that are no longer befitting to the once most deadly striker in the English game.
There have been a few moments this year that have shown his real quality, but the moments are becoming ever more fleeting with every passing week and injury.
At the age of 31,Van Persie should by no means be written off. A man of his talent, with the record he possesses, deserves a great deal more respect than that. But the current United side are noticeably better at this point without him. This is not to say a host of clubs wouldn’t clamber for his signature – his talents are still a rarity in the modern game; he is an uncompromising goal scorer with technique that few in the world can rival.
At this point in Van Gaal’s United career it may serve him to be ruthless to one of his most trusted lieutenants, for the good of the team.
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