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Robin van Persie (L) of Netherlands comes on for Ruud van Nistelrooy of Netherlands during the Euro 2008 Group C match between Netherlands and Italy
Manchester United fans were left glum-faced when the Dutch maestro Ruud van Nistelrooy cut ties with Old Trafford in the summer of 2006. Nistelrooy had become a clear fan favourite, and was a dependable striker after scoring 150 goals in 219 games. Apart from Wayne Rooney’s 34 goals in both the 2009-10 and 2011-12 seasons, and Ronaldo’s magical 42-goal season of 2007-08, no other Manchester United player has managed to score 30 or more goals in all competitions in a season since Nistelrooy’s departure in mid-2006.
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So it was only natural that the fans lost their collective heads when Robin van Persie signed for United in August 2012; as all the signs suggested that the new striker was the second coming of the Dutchman who had enthralled them for the last time more than 6 years ago. Certain similarities between the 2 strikers were more obvious than others – name, nationality, physique – and parallels were also drawn between their goalscoring exploits for both club and country. The fact that RVP was coming off his best season yet was the matchstick that lit the fire of excitement among the fans. Another dependable goalscorer had been added to the ranks, and the fans were expectant of yet another bonanza season.
And the new guy hasn’t let the fans down, with his 23 goals in all competitions helping the club fight on many fronts. Slowly but surely, he is erasing the memory of Nistelrooy from the fans’ minds, and replacing them with his unbelievable performances and unique way of interpreting the striker’s role. And that is where the similarities with Nistelrooy end. Nistelrooy was a pure poacher, lurking about the in the final third, ready for anything you threw his way and then able to create space for a shot. The penalty box was his domain and he rarely ventured outside that comfort zone, unless absolutely required to.
When it comes to playing style, there is more to appreciate about van Persie.
Deadball expert:
Robin van Persie brings more to the table for Manchester United. He can finish chances just as well as Nistelrooy, but that is only one of his many skill sets. His other skill set that United have benefited from is his dead-ball deliveries. With Ashley Young in and out of the side with sporadic injuries, and Wayne Rooney’s corner kicks not being the most reliable, van Persie’s left-footed curlers have given Sir Alex another card to play with.
Last season, United were often unable to clear the first opposition defender with their corner kicks, thereby robbing the team of a scoring avenue. This season, things have been much different, and it is no surprise that someone like Evra has scored more headed goals from set-pieces than he did in all his previous seasons at Old Trafford. They finally have someone to whip the ball in, low and quick, into the danger area. There is a palpable sense of danger when anyone of Vidic, Evans and Ferdinand come up for a corner or a long free-kick, and that is down to van Persie.
Intelligence, positioning and link-up play:
Another aspect of his play that has perhaps surprised United fans, if not Arsenal fans, is the fact that even when not scoring goals, van Persie still manages to contribute to the game in a positive manner. All his touches and movement seem to be purposeful and often put United in a better position. Even though he is the man with the midas touch in front of goal, the Dutchman seems to relish setting up chances for his team-mates just as much. 7 assists in the league from your top goalscorer is an added bonus.
Lately, Sir Alex has been fielding the front four of Rooney, van Persie, Kagawa and Welbeck. Now while this system is supposed to allow for players interchanging positions and exchanging flanks, it requires the players to have the technique and nous to actually pull it off. Such a system would have probably not succeeded as much with strikers like Nistelrooy or Berbatov, who are more used to staying central, but van Persie has proved that he has the maturity and understanding to leave his centre forward position and drift wide when need be.
Target man:
Didier Drogba was, and probably still is, the best target man that the Premier League has seen in the last few years. Short quick passes, or long balls, crosses from the flanks or neat one-two’s with Lampard – Drogba did not seem to mind and had no favourites when it came to receiving the ball. Just lump the ball in his general direction and he would invariably come up with a first touch or a flick to set himself for a shot on goal. He was a complete striker, comfortable with anything and everything. In an age of specialists, he stood out for his multi-faceted abilities.
Tactically speaking, van Persie allows United the same options when it comes to receiving the ball. Although not the same intimidating physical presence as the aforementioned Ivorian, in his short time at United, van Persie has shown that he can be entrusted with the lone striker role. He is deceptively good in the air, can hold the ball up, play with his back to goal and keep the opposition central defenders occupied. So, when the defense or midfield is under heavy pressure, he becomes their out-ball. He can buy those precious few seconds for his team, allowing the defense to re-organize or simply catch its breath.
Experience
Robin van Persie was quite the problem child in his earlier years and had the reputation of being a troublemaker. Indiscipline was rarely a problem at Arsenal for the Dutchman, but he was, and remains a hot-headed player. So it’s heartening to see that apart from a few minor arguments (for example, his reaction to Ashley Williams’ attempts to “kill him”), he has stayed free of controversy, cards and referee trouble. His age was used as a stick with which to proverbially beat the transfer, with fans worried about signing a 29-year-old with a notorious injury record. But apart from his ever-excellent fitness levels, this season there seems to be a genuine attempt on van Persie’s part to stay clear of any issues. He simply wants that Premier League winners’ medal, and his commitment to the cause is commendable.
Sir Alex was recently quoted saying RVP was approaching the level of Ronaldo and Messi. While rival fans were quick to mock the Scot’s comments, a look at the bigger picture reveals the logic behind Sir Alex’s boisterous claims. van Persie has many attributes, and his impact at United, the skills that he brings with him, make him just as valuable to his team as Ronaldo and Messi are to theirs.
At present, he is the talisman for United, and that is because of his capacity to contribute in more ways than one. Even on his bad days, when he is unable to get a shot on target for one reason or the other, the incumbent Dutchman can rely on his secondary skills to help his side edge closer and closer to that elusive 20th league title.
