Why Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney could eye crippling Manchester United exit

Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney

Sir Alex Ferguson was the closest thing to a sure thing in football. For two decades, a succession of big name players would sign for Manchester United safe in the knowledge they would be in with a very real chance of securing silverware, sooner rather than later.

Robin van Persie, having played under Arsene Wenger, an undoubtedly excellent manager, for eight years, left Arsenal and managed to win the title in his first season at United. While he was roundly castigated by Arsenal fans at the time, his decision was validated by April as he secured the Premier League title with a hat-trick against Aston Villa at Old Trafford. A month later Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement and one has to wonder what the Dutchman made of that decision, particularly as the veteran manager had assured his charge he’d be around for at least three years.

David Moyes is by no means a bad manager, but it is hard to imagine he holds quite the same attraction for international stars. It is no exaggeration to suggest Ferguson was a large part of the reason Van Persie chose to join United in the summer of 2012 and yet no player would be similarly swayed by a man who has failed to win any silverware during a lengthy managerial career.

The fear now is that not only will United be unable to attract players of genuine quality, but that those currently on the club’s books will be looking for a way out. Reports suggest Van Persie is unhappy with the new man’s training methods and his body language has, at times this season, suggested a general dissatisfaction. In part, this could be seen merely a symptom of the results and United’s position in the table but some have suggested the problems run deeper.

One of the few positives to be taken from a largely underwhelming campaign has been the form of Wayne Rooney, a player who seems liberated by the departure of Ferguson, with whom he had a fractious relationship at best. The general consensus was that Rooney would leave in the summer, but Moyes dug his heels in and retained his prize asset. The England striker was thought to have put in a second transfer request at the tail end of last season as a result of his dissatisfaction at being rested for some of the biggest games.

This term, Rooney has been indispensable, but the team as a whole has struggled to find any kind of consistency. The player is currently unwilling to sign a new contract and, should his team fail to qualify for the Champions League, there is every chance he will not be the only one concocting an exit strategy.