The Manchester United striker situation – world class names on paper, but lacking in delivery
When you look at the recent Premier League titles United have won, there has been one forward who has always stood out – be it Cristiano Ronaldo between ’06-’09 or Dimitar Berbatov finally scoring freely in the red of United in ’10-’11 or Robin van Persie guiding them to the title with 26 League goals in 36 appearances in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge. Wayne Rooney scored 30+ goals twice in ’09-’10 and in ’11-’12, the season when United lost the title to Manchester City in the final minute. But every season in the recent past barring the disaster under David Moyes’ management, United have had one or two strikers who have taken the bull by the horn and smashed goals left, right and centre.
This season, under Louis van Gaal, we are already in the last week of February and United’s highest scorer is Robin van Persie with 10 goals, despite having missed quite a few games with injury and fitness issues. That tells you all you need to know, United are a shadow of the force they used to be because they simply aren’t getting enough goals from their front men. Yes, this is a different approach that Louis van Gaal insists is best for the side. More concentration on possession in midfield, no wingers, but the full backs are given license to move forward, more narrow in an attacking sense – sharp contrast to United’s free flowing wing play under Ferguson. But even with new players and a different ‘philosophy’, United have barely looked apart this season. The results have come, but the performances have been far from inspiring. Labored to say the least. Grinding out results more than going out and blowing teams away. I suppose, this is a different United – a United under transition in the post-Fergie era, but not what you expect from a Louis van Gaal side with Angel Di Maria, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Falcao in the ranks.
At the start of the season, there was much talk about Louis van Gaal having too many ‘world class’ strikers at his disposal and how he has a problem of plenty. Is it really a problem of plenty though? Robin van Persie is still United’s best out-and-out No.9, the Dutchman has a keen sense of positioning, holds the ball up well and tends to drift into pockets of space behind the defence. The former Arsenal man is United’s most natural goalscorer and if anybody knows where the goal is, it is Van Persie. But injuries and age are catching up to him faster than he would like, and Louis van Gaal would know van Persie isn’t a long term answer to the striker situation.
Wayne Rooney, you ask? But does van Gaal really fancy him as a striker or does he see Rooney’s future in midfield in the long run? Make no mistake, Wayne Rooney is a world class No.10, a brilliant passer of the ball and an asset to Manchester United, but is he a No.9 or a No.10? A 91/2 maybe, as good as Rooney is, he lacks some qualities needed to play the out-and-out striker role. Besides, a player as good as Wayne Rooney should have more of the ball and attacking midfield is where he is likely to make the most difference.
Radamel Falcao’s struggles in England have been well documented, with the Columbian failing to come to terms with the nature of the game in England. More physical, more fast-paced and less space to exploit and run into as in Spain, where he set the goal tallies rattling with a phenomenal record at Atletico. Falcao has scored just 4 goals in England since arriving in the summer and seems to be failing to adjust to Louis van Gaal’s narrow two-striker approach. For James Wilson, next season could well be an opportunity to stake a strong claim for a regular first team spot at United.
With Falcao’s deal unlikely to be made permanent and Robin van Persie isn’t getting any younger, United may have to break the bank for a big name striker this season. Robert Lewandowski could be a perfect addition, with his ball-playing and finishing abilities likely to work well with Rooney and Di Maria’s ability and vision in the final third. United must secure Champions League football
this season and sign a world class striker next summer, because Falcao or van Persie doesn’t look like the answer to their problems at the moment.
United can do better than hoof the ball long to Fellaini and hope his afro does some magic. Louis van Gaal knows that the quality of play has to improve. After all, it’s Manchester United and they can only be mediocre for a while. The smooth transition has some direction now, thanks to van Gaal, all it lacks is some aplomb.