Should Manchester United sell Van Persie?

It goes without saying that Robin Van Persie’s transfer to Manchester United was the biggest transfer in the 2012 summer transfer window. The 24 million pound transfer arguably handed United the 2012-13 Premier League title. The Dutch striker vindicated his decision of a transfer request at Arsenal by winning the league in his first year with United and the golden boot. The acquisition was so important to Sir Alex that he called Van Persie “The last piece of the jigsaw”.

Robin Van Persie joined Man United for £24 million from Arsenal.

A lot has changed over the 12 months. United face a time of major transition with David Moyes and his new backroom staff. The formidability of United has been challenged by the likes of West Brom, Everton and Newcastle to name a few. It looks tough for United to even qualify for Europe let alone win the league. Thus it can be said that the main reason RvP joined United seem to be eluding him-TROPHIES.

A lot of rumours regarding the future of Van Persie are circulating in the English press. The rumours of the former league top scorer handing a transfer request for the second time in 2 seasons is the talk of most English newspapers. These rumours are based on the facts that Van Persie joined United to play for Alex Ferguson and now that he is not at the club, he is not enjoying his time at United. Another rumour is Robin’s dislike to the rigorous training regime under David Moyes.

Even though all these speculations can be written off as just rumours but the fact remains that Van Persie this season is nowhere near at his best. RvP scored 15 goals till Christmas last season in all competitions for United however he has scored only 10 this season in all competitions, which is a drop of 1/3rd of the goals he scored. His body language is also a concern for United fans. He doesn’t look as motivated as he used to and makes it evident that he is no longer enjoying playing.

All these speculations makes you question whether David Moyes should do what Sir Alex did on so many occasions- sell the superstar who is unhappy? Let us consider the pros and cons of selling Van Persie.

It is no doubt Van Persie is one of the best goal poachers in the game and this means he would sell for a considerable fee. He is at the later stage of his career and is not getting any younger, hence now would be the perfect time to get rid of him if he is unhappy. The sale of RvP would help revive careers of Chicharito and Welbeck who have fallen behind the ranks at United. Van Persie is also injury prone as can be seen with his recent groin injury. He is on a massive paycheque and United could sell him and reinvest in younger and more talented players.

However one should note that RvP is one of the best, if not THE best strikers in the premier league and selling him would leave a huge hole in the already mediocre United squad. The Glazers are not known to spend a lot thus throwing a question whether United would reinvest in better players if the striker is sold, given the 6oo million pound debt the club is under.

As a United fan I would recommend to hold the sale of Van Persie for atleast the summer and see how he performs this season. For who knows, his form maybe the only hope for us to revive the current season.