Van Persie gives Man U a formidable attack
LONDON — The imminent arrival of Robin van Persie gives Manchester United an embarrassment of riches in attack as the deposed Premier League champions this weekend begin their quest to wrest the title back from local rival Manchester City.
It also gives manager Alex Ferguson a huge selection dilemma ahead of United’s first game, against Everton at Goodison Park on Monday.
If Van Persie is thrown straight into the fray, who will partner with him up: Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck or Javier Hernandez? Will Rooney, currently United’s star striker, drop into midfield to take on the playmaker mantle he was sometimes assigned last season? And what happens to record signing Dimitar Berbatov, who was the Premier League’s top scorer in the 2010-11 season?
Whatever Ferguson decides, opposition defences shouldn’t have a moment’s peace against United this season.
“He is on his way up from London for a medical later this afternoon,” Ferguson said Thursday of Van Persie, who is set to cost United a reported $38 million. “We hope all the things will be tied up, although sometimes medicals do take a bit longer. I am sure he will be available for Monday’s game.”
City won its first title in 44 years in dramatic circumstances last season, scoring two injury-time goals in its final game to beat Queens Park Rangers 3-2 and top the standings on goal difference from United.
Roberto Mancini’s side starts as slight favourites with British bookmakers to win the league this season, too, and begins its campaign on Sunday with a home game against promoted Southampton.
Chelsea, which lost to City 3-2 in the Community Shield on Sunday, plays its first competitive match as European champion when it visits Wigan on Sunday and has a fresh look to its forward options following the signings of attacking midfielders Oscar, Eden Hazard and Marko Marin. Fernando Torres starts the season as the No. 1 striker after the departure of Didier Drogba.
Arsenal’s first game is against Sunderland, with manager Arsène Wenger hoping the recruitment of forwards Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud can counter the loss of Van Persie.
Tottenham and Liverpool will look to threaten the division’s established powers under the stewardship of new, young managers in Andre Villas-Boas and Brendan Rodgers, respectively. Spurs travel to Newcastle in the standout fixture of the opening round of matches, while Liverpool is away at West Bromwich Albion.
Most eyes, however, will be centred on how quickly Van Persie can make his presence felt at United, whose star-studded strike force rivals City’s as the best in the league.
The prospect of Rooney and Van Persie — the league’s top two scorers last season — teaming up is mouthwatering, but it remains to be seen how Ferguson will arrange his forward line.