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Forget Falcao, This Flying Dutchman Should Be Manchester United’s Chief Striker

Robin van Persie should be made the chief striker for Man Utd

We saw the other day, the passion van Persie has as he scored a last minute equalizer to get a crucial point against league leaders Chelsea. Also, this was one match where he was actually more of a threat than his recent games. Van Persie has been criticized this season on his lack of form and understanding with his new team-mates, but he showed that he still has that flair when he is in the centre of all attacks. He is believed to play his best as the main striker and we ponder whether he should be given the undisputed main striker’s role.

RVP

Van Persie’s style of play

Robin van Persie is a clinical finisher and a player who is best utilized as a lone striker or with a center forward like Rooney who plays as a supporter. He makes well timed and clever runs behind the defence or manages to find space near the goal in order to receive a pass. He is strong on technique and does well under pressure to create just enough space to shoot. His shooting is top notch, which we all know, as it is the reason he gets so many goals. He is a classic striker and feeds off the midfield and is used to playing in a balanced team and formation.

When Manchester United play with three strikers- Rooney, Falcao and van Persie, it becomes tougher for van Persie to find his rhythm as there are two players who want to become the focus of the attack. Both Falcao and van Persie, despite being world class, play their best football when they are the focal point for the offense. But when they are forced to share the position, with none being supporting strikers, cancel each others’ influence and create disconnect in the attack.

Man Utd’s play vs. Chelsea

Manchester United played much better against Chelsea, as they were given all the initiative to attack and they scraped through a point. They had van Persie as their leader of attack and Mata, Fellaini, Di Maria and Januzaj played around him to provide him service and the team looked much more balanced and also threatening while they attacked. Fellaini gives Man Utd the option to attack teams based on pure physicality with midfielders like Di Maria and Mata who are capable of providing lofted aerial passes for the big lads.

Being more defensive minded and better in defensive techniques, Fellaini offers the assurance defensively as well. Playing with a five man midfield gave Man Utd the control over the match that they would not have got otherwise in a 4-4-2 diamond. Playing either van Persie or Falcao as the lone striker ahead of a free flowing midfield will help both these strikers utilize their full ability.

Conclusion: Get the best out of the strikers, play a lone man.

Playing Rooney behind the main striker is very acceptable because he is a versatile player and is as good a midfield player as much a forward. So when he plays as a central attacking midfielder, van Persie should be played as the main striker ahead of Falcao in the pecking order. He is the man who won the league title for the Red Devils a couple of seasons ago and understands the role and relationship with Rooney behind him. A lone striker system is best suited for the team as well as the flying Dutchman and Rooney can provide the perfect midfield/support striker partner who can provide balance to  the team. Playing two strikers plus Rooney leads to imbalance in the squad and also both players under-performing.