The curious case of Robin van Persie

Sunday afternoon, City were 1-0 up at Spurs, I was off down to London and so I wrote off the game to make sure I didn’t miss my train, as I got to the station I looked at the BBC website (other news networks are available) and Spurs had rallied late to beat them comprehensively and the stage was set for legends to be born on Monday night in our game against Villa.

We know what happened that night, we know that in that swing of a left boot as Rooney’s immaculate pass dropped from the air Robin Van Persie delivered a finish that summed up beautifully how big a role he’d played in delivering number 20 and how well equipped he was to play a significant impact on delivering further glorious days and nights in a United shirt.

Little did we know that the scorer of that iconic goal would fall from the high standards he’d set in that debut season just as sharply as Rooney’s pass did in the build up to the highlight of his United career, we can make excuses around Sir Alex retiring, Moyes being a weapons grade tool of a manager & a few other clutchable straws, but the simple fact is that the premiership medal he joined United to win has had a kryptonite like effect on his ability to lead from the front.

You make think that’s spot on, you may think I’m a dick for questioning an incredibly talented footballer, but either way, stick with me through the points below and you’ll see I have the misfortune of firming up your belief that this needs to be his farewell summer, or I’ll educate as to why it needs to happen if you’re not aware why at this stage.

Mobility

He’s as lacking in it as kebab shops are vegetarian options!

When he’s at the top of what we do it looks like the Hunan body’ll learn to breakdown sweet corn before we get through the back four he’s up against, you can argue that s forward who’s lost half a yard can still succeed if he’s retained the desire to do all that’s required to drag the team to victory, but someone appears to have lost both pace and desire, it’s time to move on.

Better options

When we left the pitch having beaten Swansea 4-1 in the opening game of the Moyes disaster, the thought that our attacking options could be improved by making a Bosman signing from relegation threatened Burnley was pure TalkSport and anyone uttering such words was an embarrassment to the parents who’d raised them, but having seen what Ings had to offer when Burnley visited Old Trafford in comparison to what Robin gave us, it’s foolish to not see how the youngster would offer an upgrade on the options that the Dutchman currently provides.

Restructure

We’re still in the midst of the one that’s been needed since the latter years of Sir Alex’s time, like it or loathe it finance is a huge part of the modern game, if the club are to be in a position where they can make appealing offers to the clubs we’re looking to recruit the players required to ensure we can deliver from August to May, then he’s a prime candidate to be moved on, I know that might sound harsh, but it’s just the realistic approach to take, if moves for the likes of Depay & Clyne can be arranged you’re looking at a pairing who could combine to offer us something down the right hand side that Young & Blind have down the left for the next 5 to 10 years, the option to fund the contracts of such players by moving on one player who’s peak time in his career may have been and gone is one that I’d be delighted for the club to take as it’ll play a huge part in our ability to bring in any marquee signing that can help improve the quality of our midfield & defensive options.

‘Cos it’s like that, and that’s the way it is……

I admire the man, I’ve huge respect for the fact that he spurned staying at Arsenal, and joining either City or Juventus to become a red, but his ability to deliver performances that help the club move up to a level where it can challenge domestically and in European competition is in my opinion gone, or if not gone then certainly going, so it’s best for all concerned that we find Robin van Persie a new home, thank him for his glorious work in bringing in number 20, and look at making the signings that’ll help make it possible to compete for number 21 before the likes of Chelsea and City go getting ideas about being the leagues dominant force.

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