Striker Robin van Persie and Manager Louis van Gaal are countrymen, close co-workers and (some of said) friends. Now it seems the relationship is strained. Or maybe “it’s just business” as they say.
Van Gaal removed Van Persie during the win at Arsenal because he was not pleased at all with his play. RVP only touched the ball 13 times, plus the kick-off.
“I do think 13 is too few for a striker,” said LVG.
“You can count his touches of the ball.”
“More importantly is how he is playing and it was a very bad game from him. That is why I changed him. I believe in the players, so when I change players it is normally because they are doing something not good in their performance.”
“I have said to them you have to be at an attacking point. You have to help our team come and search for space. For me, it is not important who is scoring, as long as the team score.”
Robin van Persie will supposedly start today versus Hull City, but this could be possibly his final first team chance. And who knows, if he gets dropped to the second team, then maybe his days at Old Trafford will be numbered? There’s certainly been enough Van Persie transfer rumors floating around already. But there are important other strikers behind Robin van Persie- James Wilson is a young starlet that all the coaching staff are high on.
And now Radamel Falcao is coming back. His calf hasn’t heeled enough that he can start right now, but if he shows over the course of the season, that he is totally fit and healthy, then maybe his loan deal will become permanent and that would make Robin van Persie expendable….
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his feature stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on KOZN 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2