Why Robin van Persie's absence is a blessing in disguise for Manchester United

Robin van Persie

Given Manchester United had failed to win any of the games Robin van Persie missed this season, losing two and drawing two, news that the Dutchman could miss up to a month due to injury would’ve understandably unsettled most United fans, especially given the club’s travails so far this season under David Moyes.

But then came the game away to Aston Villa. Villa Park is never an easy place to go, given the Villans are very aggressive in front of their home fans, but United came away from the game having scored three goals and bagged all three points, ending a dismal run of four games without a win. What’s more, the goals came from two unlikely sources in Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck.

The timing of this couldn’t have been any better. The game versus Villa was played on the day which marked exactly a year since Cleverley last scored a league goal. Welbeck, meanwhile, only scored once in the league last season. Against Villa alone, he beat that tally.

The victory alone would’ve no doubt lifted the fans and Moyes, but what would’ve made it sweeter is the fact that the team finally showed that they can win without Van Persie, and that there are players at the club who can step up in his absence.

Man United coped well in front of goal without the clinical Dutchman

Moyes seems keen on Welbeck in particular, starting him up front alongside Rooney versus Villa and then on his own away to Stoke City in the Capital One Cup. The Scot was recently quoted as saying that he had a chat with the 23-year-old, telling him to put in some extra training to work on his finishing–just like Wayne Rooneydoes–in order for his goal return to improve.

Van Persie’s absence allowed Welbeck to spend more time in his preferred central areas

Expecting him to record Van Persie-like figures would be setting the bar too high at the moment, but with time and regular games in his favoured position, you never know. After all, Welbeck has all the attributes to become a decent striker – a fact Moyes agrees with.

United will surely miss the potency of Van Persie, their top scorer last season with 26 league goals. But his absence offers an opportunity for others to step up. With Moyes turning to Welbeck, hopefully the Englishman will finally come good.