da realbet： Robin van Persie generated much excitement when he first arrived at Old Trafford in August 2012. And for a while, he lived up to the hype, scoring 30 goals across all competitions in his first season with United to propel the club to a league title.
da pinnacle： But then tragedy struck. The striker was injured for 15 games of the 2013-14 season, and managed only 18 goals under the ill-fated David Moyes regime. This season, he suffered from ankle problems and found the net just ten times in the Premier League in a poor performance that seems to complete a downward trajectory for the Dutchman.
With Louis van Gaal looking to revamp his side’s attacking options during the summer transfer window, van Persie’s recent shortcomings are even more glaringly apparent.
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Recent reports linked van Persie with a move to Lazio, but Lazio president Claudio Lotito dismissed the claims as “rubbish.” Regardless, van Persie should take any chance he can to get out of Manchester— and fast.
Van Persie has expressed his desire to play first-team football, something that is just not in the cards for him anymore at United. Even before his injury this season, he was sluggish and out of shape at times. The Red Devils actually performed better in his absence, going on a six-game win streak, their most successful run of the season.
Manchester United has already made a splash this summer by signing another Dutch international, Memphis Depay. Memphis is considered one of the world’s best young attackers. The 21-year-old scored an impressive 28 goals for PSV this year.
He and van Persie have already shared the international stage. In the Netherlands’ friendly against the U.S. June 5, Memphis played the whole 90 minutes and contributed a goal and an assist. By contrast, van Persie lasted just 57 minutes with nothing to show for it. Van Gaal has already chosen Memphis over van Persie on this stage, and would surely pass over the 31-year-old in the pecking order at United as well.
Van Persie has one year left on his contract at Old Trafford, but it’s doubtful that he will see anything but a decrease in playing time if he chooses to stay. His best move would be to transfer to a club where he is guaranteed a starting spot, but only if he commits himself to fitness first.
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