Robin van Persie Looks Back to His Best for Manchester United

Only 10 days ago it appeared as though Louis van Gaal was about to drop his compatriot Robin van Persie.

In the aftermath of United’s win at Arsenal two weeks ago, Van Gaal had not sought to disguise his displeasure at Van Persie’s lethargic and almost anonymous performance. 

This much was obvious from Van Persie being substituted at the Emirates for James Wilson in the second half, but afterwards the United manager also openly criticised his former Dutch national captain.

Asked about the substitution, as reported by The Express, Van Gaal simply said, “That’s why I changed to send on James Wilson. More pace.”

That would have hurt Van Persie; being swapped for the younger and now quicker player. Van Gaal was being blunt, and showing him he was longer indispensable.

Van Persie could have had few complaints as he touched the ball just 13 times in the game against Arsenal. 

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On the eve of the following game against Hull City, Van Gaal again criticised Van Persie’s performance at Arsenal, as “very bad,” (via the Manchester Evening News) and it seemed likely he would make way for Wilson from the start this time. 

But Van Persie surprisingly retained his place, and only afterwards we learned from Van Gaal that it was because Wilson had been ill.

Van Persie had been saved, but he had also got his manager’s rather unsubtle message. 

The Dutch striker responded with a brilliant strike against Hull in a 3-0 win. But while his performance improved, he was still playing within himself.

And so it was on Monday night in the 2-1 win against Southampton when the old Van Persie finally emerged from his hibernation.

The two goals were an obvious sign of his revival, but they merely adorned a complete performance reminiscent of the Van Persie from his first season at United.

He was lively and bright, full of movement off the ball and hard running. He wanted the ball; he wanted to be involved. He looked hungry again.  

Amid one of the worst United displays for many years, Van Persie always offered his team-mates an option up front, and remained alive and alert.

As most other United players kept giving the ball away, it seemed to instead stick to Van Persie. He protected it, cherished it and refused to give it away cheaply.

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The old Van Persie would detect chances before they happened, and so he didn’t give up when Jose Fonte attempted a back pass in the first half, but instead ran in to the space, collected the defender’s under-hit effort and finished past Fraser Forster to give United an undeserved lead. 

In the second half, Van Persie found the winner when he kept his eye on a high ball others had given up on and improvised with a volley to score past Forster again. 

Van Persie was the difference between the two sides and the sole reason United left the South Coast with all three points.

The Dutchman’s performance was so complete Van Gaal allowed him to finish the game, and he didn’t summon either Wilson or Falcao from the bench.

It can’t be a mere coincidence that Van Persie is playing like this with a fit-again Falcao and a young and eager Wilson ready to replace him.

As United cement their place in the top four, there is growing evidence Van Persie is now almost back to his best.