Manchester United can manage without Robin Van Persie

RVP has become unsettled at United

Manchester United striker Robin Van Persie recently hinted that he is unhappy with the current state of affairs at Old Trafford. The Dutchman has grown unsettled at the club due to their dramatic fall from grace since David Moyes took over the reigns of United from Sir Alex Ferguson. Sir Alex Ferguson was one of the main reasons why Van Persie left Arsenal for Manchester United and his sudden retirement came as a shock to the player. The striker is hungry for success and knows that a trophy will almost certainly not arrive at Old Trafford this year. The striker is in the twilight of his career and may quit United for greener pastures.

Van Persie has been brilliant for Manchester United this season scoring 11 times in 16 appearances combined with 2 assists. The striker scored 30 times last season and almost singlehandedly won United the Premier League which he couldn’t manage to win with Arsenal during his entire 8 year spell at the club. Van Persie won the FA Cup with the Gunners, but he wanted more as he felt that a player of his talents deserved more silverware.

The forward may quit Old Trafford next season but the club can manage without him. The club have a very good striker in Javier Hernandez who is currently warming the bench and would jump at the chance to play some first team football. The 25-year-old fired 20 goals in his first season showing everyone that he is perfectly capable of being a first team player. Chicharito has his best years ahead of him unlike Van Persie who has just a few years left at the top.

Manchester United have some excellent young strikers in the form of Angelo Henriquez and James Wilson who will soon be pushing for a place in the first team. Henriquez, who is currently on loan with Spanish side Real Zaragoza, has a lethal eye for goal and has netted 5 times in 15 appearances – not bad for a 19-year-old. 18-year-old James Wilson is also a gifted striker and is currently scoring goals for fun in United’s youth team. Danny Welbeck is also another player who can play along with Wayne Rooney. The forward scored 12 goals in 39 starts for United in the 2011-2012 season before he was forced to play out of position when RVP arrived at the club in the summer of 2012.

Chelsea and Arsenal are the only two clubs who are reportedly interested in Van Persie so far but can expect to be joined by some competition soon. A move to Spain seems unlikely as the top clubs already have excellent strikers. A move to Italy or France may also be an option and will present Van Persie with a new challenge. Ligue 1 club Monaco may be a realistic destination as they are in danger of losing Radamel Falcao to other clubs.

Van Persie is something of a “football mercenary” he is loyal to no club. The main thing that motivates him is money and silverware. Arsenal was doing quite well from 2006 to 2011 but bad luck prevented them from winning anything. The sale of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri to Barcelona and Manchester City was the final straw for RVP who decided that a club who cannot hold on to their key players stands no chance of winning anything.

Manchester United are facing a similar situation. Their key players are ageing and need to be replaced. David Moyes will need at least 3 years to rebuild his team and when he finally succeeds RVP will be 34 – which is close to retirement age for any average footballer. Even if Moyes brings in world class players it will take some time for them to start winning trophies but time is something that RVP does not have on his side. The forward has been deprived of quite a few major trophies in his career including a World Cup which was snatched from his country’s grasp by Spain back in 2010. RVP may want to end his career on a high and he deserves to do so as he is on the road to becoming a Dutch great.

The Old Trafford faithful will surely fret if RVP leaves but they will never forget their number 20 who game them their 20th Premier League trophy.