Manchester United’s season is beginning to resemble one of the more tortuous soap operas.
David loves Wayne and gave him millions to keep him close; Robin loves David and doesn’t want to leave. But can Robin and Wayne improve their personal chemistry? A happy ending depends on it.
David loves Wayne and gave him millions to keep him close; Robin loves David and doesn’t want to leave. But can Robin and Wayne improve their personal chemistry? A happy ending depends on it.
The arrival of rampant Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday — the first of four big fixtures in 10 days for David Moyes — brings United’s travails sharply into focus.
While Liverpool boast the two leading scorers in the Premier League, Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, there have been huge question-marks about the partnership between United’s ‘main players’ van Persie and Rooney
The statistics show they have barely passed to each other on occasions this season. The naked eye can tell you they have sometimes run in opposite directions to celebrate United goals, impossible to imagine under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Rooney has derided van Persie as being ‘not the brightest’ and gets frustrated the Dutchman does not cover more yards in matches.
Van Persie patronises Rooney by claiming they are both ‘nine-and-a-halves’ while making it clear on the pitch he’s the real No 9.
Undoubtedly, they have huge egos. While nobody says they need to be bosom buddies, United fans will expect them to put the team’s interests first.
Rooney has got what he wanted — a bumper five-year deal. Van Persie has indicated he wants to stay beyond his current contract in 2016. But it’s time they showed they care beyond self-interest.
Navigating his way through the minefield is Moyes. Despite the presence of £64million signings Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini and a glut of other internationals, the manager knows the tone for his team is set by Rooney and van Persie.
After shambolic displays in the Champions League round of 16 first leg against Olympiacos — the only pass Rooney received from his team-mate all night was from kick-off — Moyes spotted improvements in last Saturday’s 3-0 win at West Brom, a trend they must continue against Liverpool’s lethal SAS.
‘I thought the two boys were outstanding against West Brom for effort and work-rate,’ said Moyes.
‘Robin tackled a few people and got around. Wayne was the same. When your two main players are showing that, I think it rubs off on the rest of the team. I think those two players are pivotal for Manchester United, really important players for the side.’
Moyes has never been worried that Rooney and van Persie want to be at the club next season, but he has been privately concerned about their form, individually and collectively.
Much work has been done on the training ground and the manager added: ‘As a pair, I thought the two of them had their best game against West Brom because they were team players.
‘They showed commitment and determination to the team. Robin received more balls, Wayne received more balls. Hopefully that’s the way forward.’
United fans will say their front two owe them, not just on Sunday but also against Olympiacos in the second leg on Wednesday night, when they trail 2-0, and then League matches at West Ham and at home to Manchester City.
Rooney, who will move joint-third on the club’s all-time scoring list if he scores against Liverpool, said: ‘These are massive games coming up — we have worked really hard in training to be ready for them. The top four is tough, but we have to keep going. We could sneak in.’
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