Manchester United cannot afford an unhappy Robin van Persie

Manchester United boss David Moyes has denied claims that there is a rift between the Scot and star striker Robin Van Persie

Rumours of a rift between Manchester United boss David Moyes and last season’s top scorer Robin van Persie have been rife.

Moyes has now moved to deny that there is a problem between the pair. In fact Moyes is claiming that Van Persie could not be happier.

Rubbish

On reports that the Dutchman is unhappy under the Scot, the United boss told the Daily Star: “I would say that’s (talk of a rift) complete nonsense.

“All that stuff you’re saying is a load of rubbish. I don’t even need to answer it because it’s such rubbish.”

Vital

To say that Robin van Persie is vital to Manchester United would be a rather big understatement. The Dutchman fired United to the Premier League title last season, scoring 26 goals and producing vital performances.

Missing

This season there has been something missing in Robin van Persie’s game. The Dutchman has not looked as sharp as last season. A number of issues seem to be affecting his game, including a number of injury niggles.

United fans will be hoping that the striker’s loss of form is due to his injury niggles and that he will regain his form when he is over those niggles. Those niggles have made Van Persie doubtful for United’s game against Stoke today.

According to his manager he has been having painkilling injections on a groin injury which has been bothering him for a while. The Dutch striker missed the Red Devils midweek Champions League clash with Spanish side Real Sociedad.

It was a slight surprise that Van Persie was not in United’s team for that encounter and that prompted speculation that the pair have fallen out.

Methods

Rumours persist that Van Persie is unhappy at some of David Moyes’ methods, especially in training techniques. Some people have even claimed that the Scot’s training methods have played a part in Van Persie picking up injury niggles.

These claims may be unfounded, but the fact that Van Persie has struggled with injuries that he did not last season seems to point to some sort of change at United. The Dutchman has always been relatively injury prone though, so his injury niggles may have nothing to do with David Moyes methods.

Match winner

Every top team has one player that is the match winner, the sort of player that in a breath can win you a match with a touch of brilliance. Robin van Persie was that player for Manchester United last season.

This season he just does not look like the same player that was so brilliant for Sir Alex Ferguson’s Premier League winning team last season. The striker has looked frustrated at times and bewildered at others, despite finding the net four times this season in the top-flight.

Inspiration

If Manchester United are to save their season then they need the inspirational Robin van Persie back in top form. The Dutchman scored in his last outing in United’s draw at home to Southampton. If United are to get their season back on track then Van Persie will be the key to that recovery.

Moyes needs to find a way of getting Van Persie back to full fitness and in the team. Even in games like todays against Stoke, Van Persie could be the difference between victory and another unexpected draw.

Needed

Manchester United and Robin van Persie will get stronger as the season goes on. Whether there are differences between the pair remains to be seen, but one thing that is for sure is that David Moyes needs a fit and happy Robin van Persie in his attack.

Does Robin van Persie seem unhappy under David Moyes?