Robin Van Persie Transfer: Why RVP Isn't the Answer for Manchester United

The transfer has gone through; Robin Van Persie is leaving Arsenal for rival Manchester United.

Manchester United decided that they weren't going to wait for the 29-year-old's Arsenal contract to expire at the end of the 2012-13 season.

Sir Alex Ferguson was a man on a mission in recent days, relentlessly trying to bring him over to the rival Red Devils.

On Wednesday, all of Sir Alex's courting paid off and the transfer became a reality.

Since the transfer, most English football "experts" have been quick to crown Manchester United the English Premier League favorites in 2012-13.

Critics and fans shouldn't just assume the Red Devils' impending dominance because they got a star striker in van Persie.

Have we learned nothing from watching the Big Three play in their first season together in Miami?

There are a few reasons why RVP isn't the answer.  

Van Persie's interference with the development of other strikers

Adding Van Persie could seriously jeopardize the development of Danny Welbeck, who is coming off a season where he started challenging Rooney as the club's preferred striker.

Prior to the transfer, Ferguson was confident that Welbeck could build on his nine goals from last season and strive for 20+ in 2012-13. 

Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Welbeck all play off each other very well and there's no guarantee that van Persie can co-exist with them or them with him. You always run a risk that the chemistry won't work when bringing in an established star.

Van Persie's age and history of injuries

He is 29 years old and history shows that he probably has two, maybe three good years left. Most strikers don't maintain their dominance too long after the age of 30. Nobody questions his phenomenal talent, but he has always been associated with a laundry list of injuries. 

Last year for Arsenal, he was featured in 48 games, which was the most ever with the club. He only played in more than 35 games in just three of his other seven seasons. His durability has always been a major question mark.

In the video seen here, you will see that with van Persie, the Red Devils get a special striker, but also someone who is injury-prone. 

Van Persie's salary 

It's been reported that Ferguson paid £24 million in transfer fees for him, and that doesn't even include van Persie's salary. His salary is expected to be among the highest on the team.

There is a strong possibility that the money owed for his services will negatively impact Manchester United bringing in young players in the future.

The English football world is being irrational if they only see this transfer as a positive move for Manchester United.

Due to those glaring facts and reasons, Robin van Persie is not the answer for Manchester United.