Robin van Persie the Odd Man Out as Manchester United Finally Find Some Form
Manchester United's four consecutive wins in the Premier League have put them within touching distance of next season's Champions League.
It's good news for Louis van Gaal, who is set to meet his key target in his first year as manager. It's good news, too, for the Glazers, who are now likely to have European football back at Old Trafford.
But while manager and owners have reason to be smiling during the international break, Robin van Persie might not be feeling quite so content. It wasn't so long ago that his goals were driving United to a record 20th domestic league title.
Two years later, their march toward the Champions League has been started without him. There are even fans who believe United have only been able to hit their stride because Van Persie has been ruled out with an ankle injury.
It may just be a coincidence that Van Gaal's side have beaten Sunderland, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool while Van Persie has been on the treatment table. It might just be by chance that he played no part in two of the best performances of the season, against Tottenham and Liverpool.
But what's certain is that once he recovers from injury, he'll find it very difficult to get back into the team. At least he should. Before limping away from the Liberty Stadium a month ago, he was the outfield player used most often by Van Gaal this season.
He hasn't wanted to drop Van Persie. But it's difficult to see how the 31-year-old can return to the team when they have finally found some balance and fluidity in his absence.
After blitzing Tottenham inside 35 minutes at Old Trafford, Van Gaal named an unchanged team for only the second time this season at Anfield. Even Angel Di Maria, the most expensive player in British football history, couldn't get back in. Barring any injuries during the international break, it's likely he'll be on the bench again against Aston Villa next week.
United have got eight games left. Van Gaal, seemingly, has got his team playing in the way he wants. And, unless he's forced, there's no reason to change his XI between now and the end of the season.
Van Persie has had a disappointing season and will now find himself out of team when he returns from injury. Out of contract in 15 months, it will raise questions about his long-term future.
United are enjoying one of their best spells under Van Gaal at a time, during the run-in, when they need it most. Van Persie, though, is the odd man out. In the wrong place at the wrong time.
