---
title: "Should Robin van Persie stay or go this summer?"
canonical: "https://readmanutd.com/2015/04/24/should-robin-van-persie-stay-or-go-this-summer/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
section: "Articles"
published: "2015-04-24T17:55:11Z"
modified: "2015-05-12T12:32:52Z"
---

# Should Robin van Persie stay or go this summer?

**“I always listen to the little boy inside of me in these situations – when you have to make the harder decisions in life. What does he want? That boy was screaming for Man United”.**

Robin van Persie joined Manchester United on the 17th August 2012, just months after finishing the previous campaign in an Arsenal shirt as the league’s top scorer. He made his United debut as a substitute against Everton just three days after signing for the Red Devils, but it was on his home debut that he first made his mark, with a sublime goal against Fulham – his first shot on goal nonetheless. His first season in the famous red, white and black will never be forgotten by any United fan – with his hat tricks against Southampton and Villa and his free-kick in stoppage time in the Manchester derby standing out the most. He was voted Sir Matt Busby Player of the season and picked up the Premier League Golden Boot for the second season running.

Robin’s second season in a United shirt was neither as emphatic nor prolific as his first. Issues with injury meant that he missed parts of the campaign, but still finished with 18 goals. His standout performances were against Wigan in the Community Shield at Wembley (two goals, 2-0); against Swansea in the first game of the season (two goals, 4-1) and against Olympiakos in the Champions League Round of 16. United were 2-0 down coming into the game at Old Trafford but van Persie produced a stellar performance, rounding off a hat-trick with an exceptional free kick in front of the Stretford End, giving United a 3-2 aggregate win.

The acquisition of Radamel Falcao last summer meant that this season, van Persie had to play up front with a new partner as Rooney was dropped into the midfield by Louis van Gaal. The Falcao-RvP partnership didn’t bear any fruits, although it was given a lot of time earlier in the season. Perhaps it would have been more successful had the pair both been able to maintain full fitness simultaneously, but neither have looked at their peak in 2014/15. Robin van Persie currently has a total of ten league goals for the campaign, in the company of Wilfried Bony, Christian Benteke et al. Whilst and injury-hit striker may be happy with this total for the season, we can safely assume that van Persie won’t be. He will know that a finisher of his calibre should be fighting at the top with Diego Costa, Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero for the Golden Boot – and I believe that without injuries and with Rooney up front with him, he’d be leading the pack at this point in the season.

He has been somewhat underwhelming in 2014/15, putting in some rather lackadaisical performances alongside his better ones, which is rare to see from such a talented player. His injury time equaliser against Chelsea at Old Trafford highlighted just how lethal he is, pouncing onto a rebound to emphatically rescue a point. So what now for the ‘Flying Dutchman’?

Teams rumoured to be interested in his services include Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan – and with a transfer fee of around £22m (transfermarkt.co.uk), he is still a wealthy asset for United. If he were to go to Serie A,  it is easy to see him retiring there after maybe three years, scoring around 10 goals a season.

Fresh rumours have emerged in the last day or so that both Fenerbache and Galatasaray have offered van Persie a contract worth over £200,000 per week – and the striker is set to reject them, instead wanting to stay put and lead a title charge at Old Trafford next season. With Falcao’s loan spell set to spell the end of his own United career, it could rejuvenate van Persie’s. He’ll presumably be partnered with Rooney again at the head of the attack, no matter who comes in during the transfer window. The pair complement each other perfectly, with Rooney’s energy and vision matching up with van Persie’s clinical finishing and world-class positioning and movement. The two are a force to be reckoned with.

Based on the evidence of van Persie’s United career so far, he should stay at Old Trafford. We know that with a good spell in the team, he can put away 20-30 goals and is also a player who pops up with assists too. He’s not “past it” as some would have you believe. Another two years under the floodlights at Old Trafford could easily see him add to his Premier League winner’s medal and a player of his calibre is always a good head to have in the dressing room, especially with Champions League football all but secured for next season.