Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie Partnership Starting to Flourish
Simon Edmonds@@Eddie_Edmonds
Correspondent IOctober 8, 2012
Sunday's match with Newcastle United was the moment of truth that Red Devils fan's had been waiting for since the moment that Robin van Persie arrived at Old Trafford at the end of this summer's transfer window.
For the first time in the Barclays Premier League, both Wayne Rooney and RVP started a match together on the same team, and the results were truly a feast to behold.
United looked a class above their Geordie counter-parts who—with the exception of a good ten minute spell at the start of the second half—never really looked like threatening United's chance of taking home all three points.
This resurgence was an excellent demonstration of the type of championship winning mentality that is bred into most Manchester United players these days.
The result not only put to bed the demons of last week, where United shockingly lost 3-2 at home to Spurs (their first defeat to the London side in 11 years, and their first at Old Trafford against the white army for 23), but also fittingly reversed the scoreline between the Magpies and United in this same fixture last season.
The scoreline, as well as the performance, was in no short part thanks to two of the best attack-minded players in the whole of England at this moment in time, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.
Despite all three goals coming from rather unlikely sources—defenders Patrice Evra and Jonny Evans scored the first two, with the third coming from Tom Cleverley—it was the build up play of Rooney and van Persie that led to the commanding victory.
This was emphasised by the fact that all three goals were the product of the duo's assists (two for Rooney and one for RVP).
The passing between the pairing was immaculate, with both men exhibiting a clear understanding of how the other plays.
In truth this wasn't the first time that "Robin van Rooney" started together in all competitions. Last Tuesday's Champions League match against CFR Cluj was the first time in earnest the two got a decent run out together.
Sufficed to say that the partnership was in full flow here again, with RVP netting both goals and Rooney absolutely dominating the game from start to finish.
United's next fixture in the league is at home to a somewhat mediocre looking Stoke City. This game will be the perfect opportunity for Rooney and van Persie to hit form for a third and hopefully definitive time together.
With a small cluster of brilliant back-to-back performances under their belts the confidence will be flowing in earnest.
And of course all of this is without even taking into account the other offensive threats that United have to offer. Shinji Kagawa has been quiet but efficient since his arrival in Manchester, and it looks as though, injury permitting, Antonio Valencia will have another stand-out season.
United are probably the most deadly team going forward right now in England. If Fergie can piece together a respectable defensive unit within the next month or so, the sky will truly be the limit for Rooney, Van Persie et al. this year.