One shot between them: Manchester United strikers’ incompetence exposes Rooney reliance

Newcastle beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday for the first time in 41 years as the Premier League champions continue to stutter under new boss David Moyes.

Moyes was without the suspended Wayne Rooney for the match but welcomed backRobin van Persie to the starting line-up after four games out. In the absence of their top goalscorer, United lined up with Javier Hernandez and Van Persie leading the line.

It soon became obvious that Van Persie was far from fit and the Dutchman failed to make the impact that his manager was hoping, recording a performance score of just one from the game.

The 30-year-old failed to register a single effort on goal throughout the 90 minutes and won just 20% of his average duels, including one tackle and a single header. The former Arsenal forward did have a header ruled out for offside as United searched for an equaliser.

Alongside him, Hernandez also failed to make the contribution Moyes was hoping for with Rooney missing. The Mexican was the livelier of the front two but he only mustered a single effort on goal during the game, but that was about as good as it got for him.

The 25-year-old had a far better win percentage for his average duels that his strike partner, winning 71%, including winning two of his three headed duels. His Performance Score of nine tells it’s own story as Mexico striker struggled to get into the game with minimal service from the midfield.

Between them, the duo created just three chances, all courtesy of Van Persie has he played three key passes. The partnership appeared to lack any cohesion, with both players appearing to be short on confidence along with the rest of their team-mates.

The single shot at goal United’s strike duo mustered between them

The brilliance and determination of Rooney has been one of the few shining lights in what had been a torrid start to life after Sir Alex Ferguson. Moyes will be hoping that Van Persie is soon back to the kind of form that saw him net seven goals in his first 10 games of the season as he looks to turn it around at Old Trafford.