A round-up of news, gossip and Van Persie relating to Manchester United over the past 24 hours.
Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed that Van Persie’s agent is currently discussing personal terms for his client with United chief executive David Gill and believes the signing will make his striking force one of the best in Europe. Ferguson believes that the club’s striking force of Rooney, Van Persie, Welbeck and Hernandez is comparable to the 1999 treble winning strike force of Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Mirror is reporting that Van Persie will sign a four-year contract at £200,000 per week, which will be worth £40m to the Dutch striker. The player’s arrival at the club has understandably irked Arsenal fans and Piers Morgan, an Arsenal supporter, has taken to Twitter to vent his dismay labelling Van Persie ‘mercenary, heartless and selfish’. Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney were quick to respond to Morgan and Rooney promptly ‘followed’ Van Persie on the social networking application in apparent support of his new team-mate.
The Mirror also speculating in parallel with the Van Persie story that Javier Hernandez could seek a move away from Old Trafford upon Van Persie’s arrival and that a transfer to Arsenal could be possible. However this was refuted by the player who says he will fight for his place, while Ferguson discussing his ‘big four’ strikers including the Mexican also indicates he will stay.
The Sun claims that Van Persie has been promised an out-and-out striking role for Manchester United with Rooney playing a free role behind him. The imminent signing will form together with Rooney one of Europe’s most potent attacking partnerships who last season collectively scored 71 goals.
Midfielder Tom Cleverley only became aware of the news to sign Van Persie after England’s 2-1 friendly win over Italy but stated that the striker’s arrival will only make United stronger. The 23-year-old midfielder described the Dutchman as a ‘great player’ after winning his first senior cap for England in which Roy Hodgson praised the midfielder for his performance in midfield alongside Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick.
Likewise Michael Carrick who was only informed of the deal to sign Van Persie after his first appearance in two years for England. Carrick described the player as ‘terrific’ and a ‘great boost’ before the start of the start and believes the player could be the difference for United in reclaiming the title.
The Guardian argue that Van Persie’s signing cannot ‘mask the Glazers intentions’, as they continue to drain the club’s finances.
United’s other striker signing Angelo Henriquez is scheduled to meet Sir Alex Ferguson to discuss his immediate short-term plans. The promising 18-year-old has agreed a move to United from current club Universidad and hopes if he is to leave Manchester on loan that he would return to his hometown club. The other option would be to loan him to an English or European side. For more on Henriquez you can view our profile on him here.
And finally on Here Is The City today we discuss the Van Persie move and why it is a gamble for both club and player.
image: © wonker
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