Robin van Persie has had his fair share of critics over the years. People have questioned his ability to impact a game and spoken of how the Dutchman is a risk considering all the injuries he has had over the years. But when in ’12, Sir Alex Ferguson put his faith on the most prolific goal scorer in England at that time, and Robin van Persie didn’t let the Scott down.
The Holland captain seamlessly eased into the United team and scored 26 goals in 36 League appearances that season to ensure the most successful manager in British football history had the perfect send-off with his 13th League title and Van Persie’s 1st. There is hardly any striker in world football who is as natural a goalscorer as the Manchester United hitman. He doesn’t necessarily give you the impression that he is the most technically gifted, but when you put him up front, he delivers. And if a striker knows where the net is, there is not much more a manager can ask. But that sumptuous left foot can only go on for so much longer at the highest level, and with his fair share of injuries, Manchester United may have to look for a replacement for their star striker. Not immediately maybe, but eventually.
Let’s take a look at 3 strikers who could replace Robin van Persie in the United line-up in the long run.
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James Wilson
Academy lad who has been at the club since the age of seven, Wilson worked his way through the Manchester United youth system, and in the limited opportunities he gas got so far, the 19-year old has shown an eye for goal and a burst of pace reminiscent of Wayne Rooney’s early days. Having earned his first senior appearance under David Moyes last season, Wilson scored 2 goals on his senior debut against Hull City when Ryan Giggs threw the academy graduate into the limelight. His goal against QPR is a sign that with the right attitude, Wilson can harness his striker instincts to become a mainstay in this United lineup.
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Jackson Martinez
The Colombian is an out-and-out goalscorer who can finish off both feet. The Porto captain has scored 60 goals in 77 appearances for his side and is a proven goalscorer both in Portugal and in Europe. Martinez provides a presence in the box, but how he fits into United’s system, should he sign, remains to be seen. Particularly with a certain Radamel Falcao already around.
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Douglas Costa
Douglas Costa is another hot property in European football at the moment, the Shakhtar Donetsk man is on Chelsea’s radar at the moment. Although an attacking midfielder by profession, Costa has the pace and the technical ability to rattle some of the best defences in the world. And with the likes of Wayne Rooney, Angel Di Maria and James Wilson in the united set up, should Costa eventually replace Robin van Persie, he’ll make a great signing. An intelligent, quick attacking midfielder is exactly what United need.
