Jamie Ireland
They has been plenty of talk about Louis van Gaal’s transfer targets for Manchester United’s midfield and defence, but in attack they could also run into trouble.
Robin van Persie has told Sky Sports that he has been dealing with knocks and injuries and playing with the pain for almost six years now.
The Manchester United striker was speaking after a recent injury scare in the final warm-up match against Wales. However, he has declared himself fit for the Netherlands World Cup opener against Spain.
He suffered a lot of setbacks during his time at Arsenal, during his eight years in North London he only made 194 appearance for the Gunners.
But it was in his final season with Arsenal and his first with United where we saw van Persie involved consistently, playing in all 76 league games over the two seasons.
However, under David Moyes last season the Dutchman gave his worst season for appearances and goals since the 09/10 season, with 21 appearances and 12 goals. (Squawka)
There has been transfer speculation linking Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez with a move to La Liga or Serie A and if he isn’t replaced United will struggle.
IF Chicharito was to leave, then that would put a lot of pressure on a 30 year-old, injury prone player who will struggle to play 38 games.
I can’t see Louis van Gaal being dazzled by Danny Welbeck’s skill and eye for goal enough to put faith in him and that means moving Wayne Rooney out the number 10 role and disrupting the midfield three.
OR. They could look to bring in another striker, Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata has said he will be leaving, as has Bayern Munich’s Mario Mandzukic.
There are two totally available and suitable back-up options for Robin van Persie and neither is likely to cost top dollar.
Mate, if Rooney is forced out of his 'favourite' no. 10 position, it doesn't distrupt the midfield three, it actually makes it way, way better (especially if Kagawa and Mata are still in the team). Rooney, despite his moments of brilliance, is way too tactically naive to interpret the role of a modern no. 10 and always plays more as a support striker, which leaves the entire team disjointed.
We do need more firepower, but it has to come from the wings. Both Rooney and Van Persie are exactly the kind of no. 9s that LvG loves, but for the moment, other than Janujaz (and Welbeck) we don't have any wide players capable of taking the game to the opposition. Either an out and out winger or a wide forward would be great (a Pedro or Alexis Sanchez fit the bill perfectly, and can play in centre if Rooney and RvP are both injured/unfit)