Molby: Van Persie Not What United Need

Molby: Van Persie Not What United Need, The ex-Liverpool man says Robin van Persie is quality but not the signing Man United really need. Molby: RVP a coup, but United need a midfielder, The signing of Robin van Persie is obviously a huge coup for Manchester United, and gives them renewed hope of taking back the Premier League title from Manchester City, but it doesn’t address one of the fundamental weaknesses of Sir Alex Ferguson’s team.

The player United actually needed to sign was an out-and-out midfielder, not another forward. I am really surprised that they haven’t decided to do anything about that area and I think if they don’t before the transfer window closes then it will cost them this season.

Ferguson needed to recruit a player like Bastian Schweinsteiger or Javi Martinez, who is on the verge of joining the Germany international at Bayern Munich in a 40 million euro deal from Athletic Bilbao. Those two look like players who are made for Manchester United. Instead they have overloaded in the No. 10 role.

United might outscore City, particularly with Van Persie on board now, but I just think City’s strength in the middle – personified by Yaya Toure, who has now become the main man of the Premier League – gives the reigning champions an advantage and it will eventually see them retain the title. It is pretty amazing that United have shown so little urgency in signing a new midfielder.

In certain away games, including visits to places like Everton who they play on Monday night, they will get dominated in midfield, which is not what you expect from a club of United’s calibre. It has never really been the case in their recent history: United have had players like Bryan Robson and Roy Keane, who take control of a game; all-action midfielders, not deep-lying playmakers or No. 10s.