Friday 6 September 2013

Robin van Persie to regret leaving Arsenal for Manchester United?

 Van Persie is growing increasingly frustrated with the Scotsman and is yet to be convinced of his credentials to replace Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Dutch star joined Manchester United last summer from Premier League rivals Arsenal in a controversial £24m deal.

Citing that working under Ferguson was a main reason for the move to Old Trafford, Van Persie was understandably shocked when the great manager announced his decision to retire.

The way he parted with Arsenal was done somewhat acrimoniously after releasing a statement on his personal website declaring he had no intention of signing a new deal.

In that statement he said: "I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days."

He got his wish by winning the Premier League title with United last season, scoring 26 goals and winning the Golden Boot in the process.

But with the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, coupled with Arsenal's signing of Mesut Ozil, Robin van Persie is likely to regret his decision to leave the Emirates.

As a 30-year-old, Van Persie is likely to have only two years left at the top level. His noticeably grey hair is a constant reminder that their isn't much time left to win more of the trophies he so desperately wants.

Unfortunately for him, the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson represented the start of a long rebuilding process for Manchester United.

The appointment of Moyes was a sign that the powers that be at Old Trafford wanted someone in it for the long haul.

As a consequence, United have sacrificed the ability to hire a manager with a world-class reputation and, more importantly, the ability to attract world-class stars.

All summer long Moyes tried to bring in a big name to win over the fans. Thiago Alcantara and reportedly Mesut Ozil turned down the chance to join the club in favour of working with more reputable managers.

Cesc Fabregas also rejected the chance to leave the Nou Camp to work with David Moyes despite being told he was free to leave if he wanted.

On the other hand, Arsenal are on the attack. Their new found richness saw them chase after the likes of Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez before finally bagging a world-class star in Ozil.

Such a signing could not have been made without Arsene Wenger at the helm of the Emirates. He was no doubt the defining reason Ozil eventually opted to sign for the Gunners over PSG and United.

Arsenal will go from strength to strength over the next few years as they reap the benefits of having one of the best managers in the world and cash flooding in from corporate sponsorship deals.

The Gunners can expect to challenge for this year's title as well as the other major trophies. One or two more similar signings to that of Ozil will surely elevate them to the top of the Premier League once again.

In comparison, it will take some time before Moyes has the pulling power equal to his London-based rival. By the time Moyes can attract someone like Ozil, Van Persie will be well in to his decline.

With the most famous manager in the world, Jose Mourinho, also battling it out for the same trophies as well as the same players in the transfer market, you can expect United to struggle to compete in both.

All this means that United could be set for a barren spell when it comes to trophies. No one doubts that Moyes has the potential to become a great manager, but his lack of reputation will only harm his chances of early success at the home of the Premier League champions.

So, after leaping over the fence to rivals United last summer, Van Persie may be wishing he'd stayed put with Wenger where the grass is growing greener by the day.

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