Form temporary, RVP class permanent After weak form and his poorest game of the season last week at Arsenal in which he had only 13 touches, Louis van Gaal didnt drop Van Persie. Instead, he started his compatriot in a different position behind a front two of Wayne Rooney and Angel Di Maria. Van Persie was familiar with the position while an Arsenal player and was expected to see a lot of the ball, which he did. The game plan changed after only 16 minutes when Di Maria limped off after pulling up when turning his man -- the 42nd injury that United have suffered this season. The Argentine was replaced by Ander Herrera and Van Persie moved back up front with Rooney. There were glimpses of the Dutchman of old in the first half. After 39 minutes, he combined with Herrera and Rooney and in two touches he controlled it with his left and struck the ball with his right foot. He didnt get the goal he needed to lift his confidence, though the chant of Oh, Robin Van Persie wont have done any harm. The player of the season in 2012-13 moved well to head a 57th-minute Michael Carrick ball and produce an excellent fingertip save from goalkeeper Allan McGregor before he was the subject of a cynical 64th minute tackle from Michael Dawson after getting away from the defender. The goal happened for Van Persie a minute later. Herrera passed forward to the Dutchman, who got his full left foot behind the ball to strike past McGregor from the edge of the area. It was only his fourth goal of the season and hell be judged more harshly against superior teams to Hull, but it was exactly what he needed and Van Gaal knew it. Job done, Uniteds manager replaced Van Persie with Falcao and Uniteds No. 20 left the pitch to a standing ovation.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 13:24:24 +0000
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