Manchester United striker Robin Van Persie is (currently) a shadow of the player who banged-in the goals for Manchester United last season, and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has questioned the Dutchman's loyalty to the club, and suggested that the striker is 'letting the manager [David Moyes] down badly'.
In his column for the Daily Mail over the weekend, Carra compared United's current woes to the 'shock defeats' LFC experienced under Roy Hodgson, and compared RVP's malaise to that of Fernando Torres. He observed:
"The way Robin van Persie is playing reminds me of the way Fernando Torres was with Hodgson. The quotes and stories make it feel like [RVP] isn’t behind Moyes.
"He didn’t miss a game last season in the Prem but this year he has been in and out. Is he thinking about the World Cup?
"His demeanour has served only to increase the perception there are problems. Torres did exactly the same".
Carra is probably referring to RVP's comments after Man Utd's glorious Champions League defeat to Olympiacos last week. The Dutchman slammed his team's performance as 'lousy', and publicly chided his colleagues for stealing his space on the field. He told Dutch television channel NOS:
"Fellow players are occupying the spaces I want to play in. It makes it difficult for me [and] forces me to adjust my runs. Unfortunately, they're often playing in my zones. I think that's a shame."
It seems obvious - as it did with Torres - that Van Persie has one eye on an Old Trafford exit, which is understandable given Man Utd's continued slide into abject mediocrity. Carra also hints that RVP may not be putting in the required effort due to the upcoming World Cup, and after his injury problems this season, it's understandable - on a psychological level - why the striker may be easing off.
As a comparison, however, consider Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan recently admitted that he worries about sustaining a World Cup-threatening injury, but you don't see him pulling out of tackles, or taking it easy. He remains 110% committed to the cause, which is one of the reasons he's the best striker in the league.
To be fair to RVP, though, he - like Torres in his final season at Anfield - is still doing the business on the field. Irrespective of his perceived loss of form, he's grabbed 16 goals/assists in 19 starts for United, which is very good return.
Ultimately, though, the writing is on the wall for Man United. Moyes' team have accrued a paltry eleven points from eight league games in 2014, and the chances of making the Champions League are practically nil at this point.
No wonder Van Persie is looking to escape an obviously sinking ship.
Author: Jaimie K
In his column for the Daily Mail over the weekend, Carra compared United's current woes to the 'shock defeats' LFC experienced under Roy Hodgson, and compared RVP's malaise to that of Fernando Torres. He observed:
"The way Robin van Persie is playing reminds me of the way Fernando Torres was with Hodgson. The quotes and stories make it feel like [RVP] isn’t behind Moyes.
"He didn’t miss a game last season in the Prem but this year he has been in and out. Is he thinking about the World Cup?
"His demeanour has served only to increase the perception there are problems. Torres did exactly the same".
Carra is probably referring to RVP's comments after Man Utd's glorious Champions League defeat to Olympiacos last week. The Dutchman slammed his team's performance as 'lousy', and publicly chided his colleagues for stealing his space on the field. He told Dutch television channel NOS:
"Fellow players are occupying the spaces I want to play in. It makes it difficult for me [and] forces me to adjust my runs. Unfortunately, they're often playing in my zones. I think that's a shame."
It seems obvious - as it did with Torres - that Van Persie has one eye on an Old Trafford exit, which is understandable given Man Utd's continued slide into abject mediocrity. Carra also hints that RVP may not be putting in the required effort due to the upcoming World Cup, and after his injury problems this season, it's understandable - on a psychological level - why the striker may be easing off.
As a comparison, however, consider Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan recently admitted that he worries about sustaining a World Cup-threatening injury, but you don't see him pulling out of tackles, or taking it easy. He remains 110% committed to the cause, which is one of the reasons he's the best striker in the league.
To be fair to RVP, though, he - like Torres in his final season at Anfield - is still doing the business on the field. Irrespective of his perceived loss of form, he's grabbed 16 goals/assists in 19 starts for United, which is very good return.
Ultimately, though, the writing is on the wall for Man United. Moyes' team have accrued a paltry eleven points from eight league games in 2014, and the chances of making the Champions League are practically nil at this point.
No wonder Van Persie is looking to escape an obviously sinking ship.
Author: Jaimie K
Sack Moyes! It's not only rvp. Mata is being played out of position. What the hell has happened to kagawa. Zaha can be groomed. We got the wrong manager. Just say it.
ReplyDeleteI watched nearly every game live in the Hodgson era, and while i wasnt happy with Hodgson as a choice of manager, he was let down by Torres in a massive massive way. We where playing with ten men in most games, he would have his back to the ball not showing himself for it. Its disgusting that you can turn up in front of over 40,000 paying fans (or over 60.000 at Old Trafford) and not give 100% (or even 50%) disgusting behaviour.
ReplyDeleteoh a man u supporter hm my condolences
ReplyDeletehow about those Reds tho !!!!!
ReplyDeleteJus watch, moyes will play janujaz, roo, rvp, mata and maybe even kagawa. bt wba. and then again looserfools he will drop janujaz and, kagawa and play young and Valencia and will bring on janujaz on the 85th min when utd is 3-0 down. He got it right when utd played leverkuson when accidently someone got injured, kagawa was moved to play behind roo ad the goals flowed. The next game kagawa started as winger didn't perform and dropped. Players need time to settle in their position. If moyes wants to stay longer
ReplyDeleteHe should play:
Jus buy kross
Play this team:
De gea
Left back: Shaw
Defenders: Jones, Evans
Right back: Raphael or smalling. Take note smalling can partner jones too.
Left winger: Janujaz
Give the roy keane role to kross
Groom mata to be our next scholes.
Right winger: Zaha
Play roo in the hole.
Rvp (out and out striker)
Take note: mata and roo can interchange.
Give kagawa some game time. Better still, if we play the diamond formation kagawa can also come into the picture.
Sell vidic, rio. Perhaps bring in one defender as jones is injury prone. Don't sell evra, jus keep him for one more season as he is quite a character in the dressing rm. But try to get shaw.
If rvp get injured, push roo to be out and out striker and play kagawa in the hole.
Sell nani, young. Keep Valencia to keep zaha on his toes. I think klopp will think on this line.
Juanith wrote 'Zaha can be groomed' - I thought this was a football forum? Has someone phoned the police? I've heard he's young and talented but still...
ReplyDeleteYou'll probably gonna delete this. But seriously Jamie are going to allow Man U fans posting and adding their filth on this site. Manc are having a horrid seasons is every Liverpool's fan dream come true. We don't have to analyse it. Just enjoy it
ReplyDeleteLol..was thinking the same..thery're messed up over there man!
ReplyDeleteFFS this is a Liverpool forum. Jaimie sort it out
ReplyDeleteJaimie, correct me if I"m wrong, but not do Utd have nil chance at this point, they have nil chance for the rest of the season.
ReplyDeleteOn another note people, never comment on the comment space on espnfc.com. It's like trying to argue with a bunch of mostly grown men who act like 12 year olds in the school yard. Sniping, insults, everything JK is against, you name it! The fact a user who told me to 'fckkkkk off' after I offered my opinion on Suarez, got 32 bloody likes, indicates my point that the place is infested with them! Beware!
Not only do Utd have nil chance at this point, they have nil chance for the whole season it seems.
ReplyDeleteOn another note people, NEVER comment on espnfc.com articles. Their comment space is infested with mostly grown men who argue and snipe like 12 year olds in a school yard! The fact that a user who told me to 'f**k off' with a prolonged use of 'c' got 32 likes, in response to my criticism of Mourinho, is a big indicator of this. If you are totally for JK's values, then beware!
No way would Rodgers want to go to them. He's here to build a long legacy.
ReplyDeleteYeah this has been a wonderful, maybe unique season, no matter what happens from here on. Just gotta enjoy the ride now!
ReplyDeleteToo f*****g rite!!
ReplyDeleteI doubt he would leave for a divisional rival, especially if we continue to improve, a domestic move may be a step down for Rodgers.
ReplyDeleteBut I think Barca or Real would easily turn his head. I can imagine the announcing press conference, Rodgers would be like "Oh this is a magnificent footballing institution, absolutely wonderful, and the people here are beautiful". :)
That's why I like this site. You can comment without people giving you abuse on your opinion which you gave perfectly valid reasons for then they call your opinion stupid (in not as nice words) and not offering a good argument against it. I had one guy give me abuse on what I said, I turned what he said against him and he said "you write to much." I mean what? I probably do write to much but to say that as a reason not to give a strong argument is just lazy.
ReplyDeleteThen you get the other kind which typically are United fans. Not all as I have had decent footballing conversations with United fans. Shocking right? Basically the short story is, I got kicked out of my mums friends house because of the argument. It turned out I was right about the whole thing. It was like a play by play basically a year in advance.
To be fair, Kagawa wasn't performing under Ferguson either. As a Liverpool fan, I say keep Moyes in, especially if all his seasons are going to be like this.
ReplyDeleteFirst time I saw Torres in a Chelsea strip was like catching ur wife in bed with someone else. I can still feel the hurt and anger. It has only eased at all by the fact he bombed so spectacularly and has become a standing joke. I also think he looks like a lesbian. Just my opinion
ReplyDeleteHaha superb
ReplyDeleteThey're all bell ends
ReplyDelete"Win Trophies". How about winning some honour and respect from your fans instead. Though I doubt they have any to give, that impatient lot. Already calling for the head of the manager, thinking they know better than AF. MUFC fans thinking they're right up there with Madrid or Barca. In terms of global popularity, yes. In terms of cash or system, its a no.
ReplyDeleteIt was also pretty good when Agger elbowed him in the face!
ReplyDeleteaaaaabsolutely typical of Utd fans. When they were about 12 points back one of my Utd mates still thought they could claw back, hahaha.
ReplyDeleteAnd on the espn forum, I commented: 'arghhhh shut up mourinho' after he played ANOTHER mindgame with Pellegrini (re: destiny in city's hands). You had that 'f*** you' response which got 32 likes from all the immature children-men who comment on there.
Here's the most amusing part: you had people saying that I've 'been mind-gamed by Mourinho." That made me laugh. I said, 'Awhhh sh**, I know, Mourinho definitely directed his mind game comments towards me, didn't he!"
Moyes is a great Manager, probably the best Manager in EPL era after Sir Alex. He achieved miracles with a poor Everton side, imagine when the Glazers give him 200mn next summer to bring players, what a team he can form? I believe MU 'll do a great long term investment if they honor Moyes's contract & give him enough money to build a British based team for next 10 years.
ReplyDeletePS: Dear MU fans, please don't be misguided by my Blog name, I am an honest well wisher of the Manchester football club from Salford.
It's a bit difficult to motivate yourself to give 100% for a gaffer, who constantly picks Young, Downing & Cleverly. It wasn't Nando, rather Woy who made us a 10 men team. Woy knows only hoof-ball game, Nando was never going to enjoy his game under him. Actually, had Woy or KK been there, Suarez won't had been with us either & Sturridge, Coutinho won't have joined, actually won't have bought. Who's Sturrdige, Coutinho or Suarez, when you can buy Concheski, Poulsen, Joe Cole, Downing or Donkey Carroll?
ReplyDeleteYes, but now we 'll play against only 11 men at Traford. I can see one of Jones, Smalling or Reo making a fatal mistake inside box handling SSS - this time it won't be waved off.
ReplyDeleteShit man, you've been sucked in by Mourinho. You should see a doctor about that!
ReplyDeleteYeah I know this guy, who at christmas said United would still win the league... I looked at him like "you serious bro?"
Mourinho's "mind games" piss me off. I don't get this fascination with Mourinho by the world media. My favourite reaction was Sam Allardyce (paraphrase) "I fucking knew it, I knew he'd be whining." It's basically "we're not that good, we're top of the league but hey, we are not a good team." I think when he's doing that he's focusing on City while we can sneak in there. Any chance of a last game of the season 3 team twist?
Apparently Suarez was a Roy Hodgson signing. We were linked with him in the November I think?
ReplyDelete(I replied to this comment because your other one is being moderated- don't use profanities!)
ReplyDeleteMy team coach who's a Chelsea supporter thinks that it's impossible to tell at the moment who will win the league. He reckons it will only become a lot more clear in the last one or two weeks or so. And he's right. Sure, City and Chelsea deserve to be the biggest favourites, but you can't say that only strictly those 2 will win. We all know the strengths of Liverpool, while IMO our defensive deficiencies can be easily fixed. If we were defensively great in 11/12, then there's no reason why we can't be again with the same bloody defenders, plus Sakho and a young gun in Flanagan.
As for top 4, he's basically ruled all of our rivals out, especially United. He kept on saying they are still a chance. I said, "how, they're f**king 11 points behind, possibly 14 after this weekend!".
"Oh really...I thought they were 8! Well, they're f**king gone then! Done! Finished!" Even Spurs fans are giving up. And I've seen a lot of Arsenal fans give up on the title. You should go on ArsenalFanTv on youtube, and see all the Arsenal fan post-match reactions at Britannia after the 1-0 loss. Miserable.
If you want a big british based team, you're gonna need a lot more than that...maybe 1 billion?
ReplyDeleteWe all saw how it worked out for Liverpool in the 2011/12!
lol, didn't read
ReplyDelete'loserfools', do people actually talk like that still? I instantly stopped reading at that point. Grow up. This is a forum where grown ups talk about adult things. When you've left school you may understand.
ReplyDeleteI normally don't, I was just kind of annoyed at the time. (watching WWE :P)
ReplyDeleteThere is definitely something wrong somewhere with our defence. It's mainly on crosses and set pieces because let's be honest when it comes to shot stopping and saving shots that shouldn't be stopped, Mignolet is one of the best keepers at that.
I think top 4 is a given now, we can't relax but top 4 is basically there. I just checked that the "aftermath" video on ArsenalFanTV. This is basically what we were saying for part of last season and basically every game underneath Kenny and Roy. One of the best things I heard was the guy basically say "Liverpool don't rely on Suarez." I was like :O really? Are people starting to catch on?
Isn't that like expecting not to get wet when jumping in the sea? I thought it came with the territory.
ReplyDeleteDirect quote. " the truth is that he wouldnt get in the man city chelsea or liverpool team." This is what we want to see. I would never have thought at the beginning of this season even being mentioned in the same breath as the 2 multi-billionaire clubs. When you actually stop and take a look around you can't help but realise how far we have come since the 11/12 season. Not only are we actually talking about winning the title, other fans aren't mocking us for doing so either.
ReplyDeleteI say son, you do a fine job taking the mickey out of them Mancs.
ReplyDeleteWho said that? I do remember a couple of years ago before that hyped 11/12 season pundits over here were saying we'd be challenging again in a few years. They're getting more and more right as the season goes on.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember an Arsenal fan saying that, I basically watched all the videos. The one who broke down I think will be everyone's most memorable. I don't think we'll ever relax. They're fully aware of the task at hand!
ReplyDeletegood to see you taking LS as an example in a positive idea once...cheers JK
ReplyDeleteHoward webb Is gonna referee the match!
ReplyDeleteSo there goes our 11v11
He needs to be given time . 24 years or so should do
ReplyDeleteWhich one?
ReplyDeleteThe team has been built around Suarez orat least he gets preference up front and at free kocks etc. Under Fergie it looked like thesame thing washappening with RVP with Rooney taking a back seat. Since Moyes the situatoion has reversed.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what promises or expectations RVP had but I can well imagine if he thought he came to play a certain way and take a certain role in the team that he might feel let down if that changed. He might even feel that he is not able to play to his strengths and its a bit late in his career to change completely. In such circumstances it might be difficult to give your best especially if the changes mean that the rest of the team is not performing aswell either.
hahahahaa 2104 i wonder do ppl still play soccer physically???
ReplyDeleteIf we have to lose to one of the Manchester teams let it be United rather than City although it sticks in the craw to say that. - Can't see them being much of a threat to our ambitions but City is a different kettle of fish. The first half at Southampton was scary but Sterling's goal relaxed the team and after that the fear evaporated.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish it were possible to insert Alonso, Hyypia and Carragher into our team for the last 10 matches. Tra, la, la, la. - It does no harm to dream. What a match on Sunday! But for a while in the first half I thought Illanya (sp?) was going to undo us?
Same sentiments as loganlfc. I will really fancy our chances if we are only 2 points off the top at start of April. There isn't a better time for man city to drop points because of their upcoming fixture congestion. Arsenal's remaining games are not easy if you analyze it. That said, for now I see us finishing only 3rd ahead of arsenal with Chelsea top.
ReplyDeleteI feel Chelsea will only drop 6 pts at most. Their game against arsenal should be a draw. Against us at home, I see them playing terry Cahill and Luis to snuff out our attack. A pt at anfield is going to be golden to them. Mourinho will not risk it. Games against strugglers crystal palace, Norwich, and Sunderland should see them dropping 2 pts. Cardiff should already be relegated by the time Chelsea visits so I don't think they'll pose any problems.
But if we win all our games except against Chelsea, title should be ours. I'm just dreaming. Don't mind me.
You can see from the way BR talks and the references he makes to Bill Shankly that he's an admirer of Shanks - who created the greatest footballing legacy of all time.
ReplyDeleteI think BR fancies creating a legacy of his own which would mean staying at Liverpool for the foreseeable future and winning titles and cups. Now okay maybe dragging Liverpool from mid table also rans back to the top again is not on the same scale as what Shankly achieved, but all the same BR is undoubtedly moving Liverpool forwards. If in 5-10 years time he could look back on a couple of league titles and a few cups under his belt then he'd be in legacy territory.
OK I'll stop now before I get any further ahead of myself.