It took almost the entire summer but, with just days to go until the start of the new Premier League season, Manchester United finally have the statement signing that will send shivers down Roberto Mancini’s spine. The £24M capture of Robin van Persie gives Sir Alex Ferguson another big name to lead the title charge – and all the sweeter for the Scot that it was a player that Mancini himself coveted.
Ever since Sergio Aguero’s jaw-dropping injury-time winner against QPR on the final day took the Premier League trophy to the blue half of Manchester, denying Ferguson a title he thought was in the bag, the football world has waited patiently to see the reaction from Old Trafford. Manchester United have not enjoyed such longevity as England’s powerhouse by adopting a "wait and see" philosophy, and it was almost certain that the chequebook would be opened. The real surprises were that it took so long to materialise and that the big move involved plucking a fierce rival’s best player.
No question, Manchester United will feel that adding Van Persie removes any perceived gap between themselves and Manchester City. The Van Persie-Wayne Rooney partnership instantly becomes the league’s best and the Dutchman’s ability as a creator opens up possibilities of employing him at times on the left of a front three or in a deeper central role. It remains to be seen whether Ferguson opts for a 4-4-2 formation or decides to flood the midfield in a 4-3-3.
Inevitably, there will be criticism of the signing. Some will point to the size of the fee, given that Van Persie is 29 and has an injury track record, while others will question whether adding another striker, albeit a world class one, was the best way to strengthen the squad. If the Dutchman performs like the man who smashed 30 league goals last season, rather than the one who underwhelmed at Euro 2012, it will be hard to grumble at the £24M fee, especially in an era where Andy Carroll commanded a £35M fee and Fernando Torres was valued at £50M. For Wenger, perhaps no figure would have fully compensated his club for the loss of yet another key man. While Manchester United’s expectations have rocketed up another notch or two, Arsenal’s have gone firmly in the opposite direction.
The latter argument carries more weight, though. Spare a thought for Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez, who will see their playing time take a major hit this season. The attack seemed the least of Ferguson’s concerns, when it took the return of 37-year-old Paul Scholes from retirement to revive his midfield and his defence was regularly exposed in the absence of the injured Nemanja Vidic and the retired Edwin van der Sar. With Antonio Valencia, Nani, Ashley Young and new face Shinji Kagawa also scrapping for the limited attacking spots, the Red Devils were already spoilt for choice.
But the bottom line for Ferguson and Manchester United is that the addition of Van Persie significantly improves the club’s chances of domestic and European glory. He is a proven Premier League performer with no shortage of experience and is used to the pressure that comes hand-in-hand with trophy-chasing clubs.
The move also opens up one other intriguing option – the conversion of Rooney into a creative central midfielder. He has the work-rate, technique and combative qualities to master the position and could be Ferguson’s answer to the lingering midfield conundrum, particularly as he loves to drop deep and seek out possession. With Rooney in midfield, it would open up more opportunities for Van Persie and Welbeck, who enhanced his reputation with England this summer, to spearhead the attack.
This may not be the end of Ferguson’s spending before the transfer window closes at the end of the month but, even if it is, he has now answered the doubters who were bemoaning the lack of urgency at Old Trafford. Manchester United have their big statement signing, they have signalled their intent to prise back the Premier League trophy and they have shown they are willing to splash the cash in the race to keep Manchester City at bay. In Van Persie, the Red Devils have a man hungry for silverware and equipped to strike fear into Citizens fans – a winning combination. The 2012/13 Premier League title race just got even tastier.
