Such is the competition at the highest level of football that when you sign a new player, it automatically means that another player who used to play in a similar position is likely to lose out. While competition surely does breed success, the truth is that there is only so many games in a particular season and given the competition for places, some players are bound to play lesser than others. As the season wears on, it is highly unlikely that you can keep every player happy.
When Manchester United signed Robin Van Persie a couple of years, many thought that it spelled the end for Wayne Rooney. For, although both are world class strikers, they are very similar in that they both like to drop deep and aren’t the kind of players who just stay in and around the box. Thankfully for the club, they found a way to play both and keep them both happy.
The club’s acquisition of Radamel Falcao on deadline day meant that they have a similar conundrum on their hands yet again. This time though, instead of Rooney, it was Juan Mata’s position that was supposed to be under threat. With the signing of Angel Di Maria for a British transfer record, it already looked as though it was going to be difficult for the Spaniard to continue to play in his preferred No.10 role. On top of that, the arrival of Falcao meant that the Red Devils had three world class forwards who were hungry for first-team football.
Falcao’s arrival looked as though it was going to have a knock on effect in the side, especially given Van Gaal’s preference for playing two forwards. The Colombian looked set to partner Van Persie in attack, with Rooney dropping back into the No.10 role that Mata is currently occupying. But on the evidence of the opening four games, it looks as though that might not be the case and the Spaniard might yet keep his position.
While the 4-0 demolition of QPR on Sunday would’ve given Van Gaal plenty of positives, the fitness and form and Van Persie would’ve surely worried the Dutch manager. The striker’s form hasn’t been what it once was at the start of this season. While it is true that he is only just coming back from injury, the simple fact is that he hasn’t been his clinical old self so far. The Dutchman has merely slowed the play down every time he has had the ball and looks to have lost the pace and the cutting edge in front of goal that made him such a threat.
While the yard of pace that has been missing from his play can be attributed due to age and the fact that he is only getting back to full fitness, what that doesn’t account for is his profligacy in front of goal. In the last couple of games against Burnley and QPR, the Dutchman has fluffed his lines on more than one occasion. Whether it is hitting it straight at the keeper or blasting his header over the bar, the 31-year-old’s potency in front of goal has certainly taken a turn for the worse.
Irrespective of whether it just age catching up with him or just a minor blip, one thing is for sure. The Dutchman’s form doesn’t warrant a starting position anymore and that is good news for both Falcao and Mata. On current form, Van Gaal should drop the Dutchman and play the more powerful, pacy and potent Colombian up front, alongside Wayne Rooney and leave Juan Mata in his preferred playmaking role.
The Colombian, who although on loan, is only 28 and has a proven track record and should be given an opportunity sooner rather than later and given Van Persie’s bad form that shouldn’t be far away. What that also does, is give the attack a much more balanced look as the Colombian has the pace and power to stretch defenses and his partnership with Rooney will mean that the club will have a target man and a creator who can both score plenty of goals. And that is something that most United fans will be relishing, even if it does mean that they have bench the Dutchman that won them their 20th League title.