Is Robin Van Persie on his way to play for Manchester United at Old Trafford? Possibly, but here are five reasons against the move.
When the Premier League golden boot winner and Footballer of the Year comes on the transfer market, the big clubs sit up, and rightly so.
The papers are again today, as they were the morning after Van Persie stated his desire not to renew his Arsenal contract, linking the Dutchman with a move to Old Trafford.
Fans are excited, Arsenal fans are praying it does not happen, while others simply do not believe it possible, dismissing it as just ‘paper talk’.
Talk is ramping up of an exciting ‘dream partnership’ between Van Persie and Rooney, and you can’t deny they would be quite a pairing. Between them, in the league alone they scored 57 goals, to put that in context, Liverpool scored just 47.
But when you delve deeper, there are reasons why Van Persie to United may not be the dream move many are labelling it. Sure if it stops Manchester City getting him it would be useful, and United fans would love to get, another, one over on Arsenal, but those aren’t reasons alone to push ahead with a deal.
Here are five reasons we believe a deal will not, could not, or should not happen…
– Hamper development
Sure, Van Persie and Rooney could form a lethal partnership, but what would it mean for the development of Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez, not to mention Federico Macheda who scored the club’s opening pre-season goal last night? Welbeck had a superb breakthrough season last year, and Hernandez chipped in with vital goals too. The Mexican though last season found his playing time decreased compared to his first year at the club, and the arrival of Van Persie would surely limit his chances further. If United do sign a fourth striker, it should not be a star name, for that very reason, but a talented forward on par with Welbeck and Hernandez, to add to the competition, but without hampering their development.
– Tactics
Manchester United have just signed Shinji Kagawa, hinting at a change in tactics, with the Japanese playmaker likely to sit in behind Wayne Rooney, who will play as an out and out striker. Signing Van Persie would seemingly contradict the Red Devils previous transfer activity, as his likely pairing with Rooney would shift Kagawa out wide or onto the bench. This is one extra reason why to us, the signing just would not make sense.
– Injury risk
Sir Alex Ferguson has described himself as a gambler, and signing Robin Van Persie would be just that, bearing in mind his injury record. Having just shifted Michael Owen and Owen Hargreaves off their treatment table over the past 12 months, the last thing they want is another regular in the medical room. Arsenal fans will tell all of their frustration at Van Persie’s poor fitness record, and while he has stayed fit for the past 18 months, his previous poor record is a cloud hanging over him every time he goes down. If United signed him and bad luck struck, it could really backfire, especially considering his age and high wages.
– Other priorities
Manchester United have a gaping gap in the central of midfield, so are they really going to go and spend £20 million on a striker? Fans would far rather see the cash go on an area of the team which is more pressing. It was the midfield where United lost the battle to City on both occasions last season, and Paul Scholes’ return is only going to be a temporary solution. If the club go and fix the midfield and then bid for Van Persie, supporters will accept it, but if not the squad will still be flawed.
– Arsenal won’t sell to them
Arsenal may have caved into City over the years, but they have never sold a senior player to United while in the Premier League, let alone their star man. United are one of the teams Wenger wants to overhaul, and while Arsenal’s attempts to hold onto key players have failed over the years, there is a determination around the Emirates not to let it happen again. The club’s hierarchy are growing increasingly stubborn, and we can’t envisage them opening talks with their once so bitter rivals.
What do you think, will Van Persie be a United player or not next season?
image: © wonker
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