Robin van Persie almost single-handedly won the 2012/13 Premier League title for Manchester United – his first and Sir Alex Ferguson’s last, as the great manager retired on a high note. His new Dutch striker, likened to Cantona by some, chose the number 20 shirt for himself – and brought a record 20th title for the Red Devils.
Since then, things have not been so easy domestically for the sharp forward. A difficult campaign under David Moyes troubled even the most experienced players and van Persie could not match his domestic exploits of the previous season; he did however thoroughly impress in a Champions League tie against Olympiakos, scoring a hat-trick to give United the 3-0 win they needed to progress to the quarter finals, having lost 2-0 in awful fashion in the reverse fixture.
Improvement on the striker’s part was heavily anticipated under Louis van Gaal, with the pair having worked together excellently at the 2014 World Cup – most notably in a 5-1 demolition of Spain, with van Persie the captain and the star man alongside Arjen Robben.
The arrival of Radamel Falcao on transfer deadline day caused great excitement, too, as it was thought he’d form a title-winning partnership with van Persie and the pair would pick up 40 goals or more between them. United fans now lament what could have been, as that mouth-watering prospect never materialised. The Colombian striker’s poor form coupled with injury, as well as lengthy spells on the treatment table for van Persie himself, meant that the Dutchman only managed 10 goals throughout the season; and Falcao just 4.
Two less-than exciting seasons and the arrival of Memphis Depay, as well as the need to play Wayne Rooney in his natural forward role and the want for James Wilson to succeed at Old Trafford, have put a question mark over Robin van Persie’s future. Louis van Gaal declared last summer that he likes to have 4 strikers who have different strengths – and the club arguably have four now.
However, rumours that the Old Trafford club are looking into the likes of Carlos Bacca of Sevilla have unsettled the Dutch star, who is aware that he may no longer be a first-choice player at Old Trafford. Speaking to Dutch magazine Elf Voetball, he said: ““When I signed for United, I knew these kind of (reports) would appear.”
His main concern is his national selection for next year’s European Championship tournament in France, which could be his last shot at a major trophy with the Netherlands, unless he manages an inclusion in their squad for the 2018 World Cup.
“Next year is the European Championship. That tournament is going to play a big role in the choice I will make. I have to be in my best form”
Many United fans will be desperate to see him stay at the club for at least one more season. van Persie is a fan-favourite and his swagger and finishing ability are incredible to see, especially when in a good run of form. He is a tough player on the pitch, rarely backing down if confronted and very adept to the physical nature of the modern game – but off the pitch, he’s ever the family man; a modest, humble, normal dad and husband:
“Most important is the wish of my wife and children. Whatever I do Bouchra, Shaqueel and Dina Layla are the highest of my priorities. They have to be happy.”
The most-reported switch for Robin van Persie is one to Turkish giants Fenerbahce – the Super Lig also boasts stars such as Burak Yilmaz and van Persie’s countryman, Wesley Sneijder, who has enjoyed great success since his switch from Inter Milan.
It is without doubt that an in-form Robin van Persie is easily still one of the best players in the league, so it will be interesting to see how his situation develops over the summer. A strong pre-season against the likes of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain would do him a world of good – as well as United’s title bid.
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