Robin lands in Manchester - a United view

KHARKOV, UKRAINE – JUNE 17: Robin van Persie of Netherlands runs with the ball during the UEFA EURO 2012 group B match between Portugal and Netherlands at Metalist Stadium on June 17, 2012 in Kharkov, Ukraine. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

This transfer window’s Cesc saga is imminently complete; Robin van Persie seems to have flown the Arsenal nest, so to speak. His destination: a short flight away – the city of Manchester; the United of Manchester, to be more precise. Manchester is up in a roar; Arsenal is up in arms.

Robin van Persie – 38 appearances in the league in 2011-12, 30 goals, 13 assists. Golden boot winner; PFA Player of the year. On the face of it, 24 million Pounds (reported) seems to be a sum that is quite fair enough to pay for a player of such absolutely undoubted quality. The snag, it seems, is his age. He is 29.

While in most circumstances, this would’ve been a welcome move, somehow United fans are skeptical. Surely not, one would think but such is the case. There is no doubting that he is a player of the highest class and his Premier League pedigree is beyond doubt. The problem, it seems, is one of a need.

There are needs and then there are wants. What, according to many fans, United needed was cover at Left Back and a midfield enforcer. What they would’ve wanted, perhaps, would’ve been a marquee signing such as this. The fundamental principle of fulfillment is that needs are to be satisfied first and only then would one move on to wants. In another school of thought, a want is defined as a directed need. In accordance, United would’ve needed a striker and would’ve wanted van Persie. Clearly, most fans tend to disagree. They believe that money could’ve been better spent.

The reason for Sir Alex going after van Persie is quite evident – a goalscorer who could play in a variety of positions up top; one who, it seems, is most suited to play with Rooney and one who would help in the much needed fluidity coming back into United’s game and something that most people seem to have overlooked – a brilliant left foot. A run down United’s squad would show that pretty much every United free-kick taker is a right footer. van Persie thrown into the mix is most definitely a welcome addition.

People who argue against this buy state that the price is that high and it will only become more as van Perise ages. They also argue that if his injury record is something to go by, this could become a disastrous piece of business. Perhaps they have a point. In the 7 seasons that preceded the 2011-12 one, his number of appearances in the league have been 26,24,22,15,28,16 and 25. That’s an average of 22 games a season. Not quite a return one would like to see off a first-choice striker. However, the past season did indeed look like a turning point for van Persie and perhaps his injury woes are well behind him.

The quip about van Persie’s age is, well, to an extend, quite alright but one must look at the different style of players and how they have handled aging. Robin is quick but he does not rely solely on his speed; he has guile and craft which he combines with tact and a certain degree of directness that make him an excellent all-round striker. Age, he will. The legs will go; it is only natural but immediately, perhaps it is not that big a factor that many make it out to be.

The other factor is that United already have Welbeck, Chicharito, Macheda and Berbatov (whose future is still fuzzy) in their ranks; apart from Wayne Rooney, of course. van Persie has to slot straight into the first team; there can be no two ways about that. If that happens, Welbeck and Chicharito will become third and fourth choice and this might well create some unrest. United have traditionally gone in for young players to nurture (the obvious exception in the recent past being Berbatov) and this move seem most un-United.

Look at it from Sir Alex’s perspective. He has always maintained that he has money available to him. Perhaps he has been proved right. He had an opportunity to get a top-class striker who is proven in the Premier League. He gets to make a point to the noisy neighbours. It was well documented that City were after van Persie as well and to snatch him from under their noses would be a major coup. He also has the luxury of a big enough striking department that he can quite easily nurture van Persie through an entire season without risking overplaying him. He could still get injured in some freak accident and continue to struggle with niggles but that is being pessimistic. One does not plan for pessimism. One plans for realism.

On another occasion or perhaps if it were another player from another club, most United fans would’ve been rejoicing. The mood now, it seems, is one of caution. Treading on glass, they seem to be thinking. Looking at it in the very long term, one could argue that it is not really a great investment but what if United reach the final of the Champions League? Wouldn’t most United fans like to see van Persie in the starting line-up? And what if he scores in extra time to win the game? Wouldn’t most United fans go wild?

Sir Alex has thought long and hard about this. Of this, one can be rest assured. He knows what he is doing and there is a specific reason for doing what he is doing. As the season unfurls, so will the van Persie saga. Everyone who says this is a terrible signing and a waste of money might just be eating their hats come the end of the season; or perhaps they will be vindicated come the end of the season. Only time will tell.

At the end of it all, though, Sir Alex has a problem now; a problem of plenty. And to him, it is a much better problem to have than one of scarcity. United came up second best last season; on goal difference. Second best is not good enough for United. van Persie could well be the difference between being second best and once again being the best.