Might there be some striker tension at Manchester United?
On the heels of Radamel Falcao’s arrival at Old Trafford, Robin van Persie has come out to say that reputation alone doesn’t guarantee the Colombian a first-team place.
“I welcome his arrival, he makes us better,” Van Persie told Fox Sports NL.
“At a top club you should always go for the best, which also fits my philosophy. Falcao must fight for his place, as I also have to.”
Reasonable stuff from the Dutchman, there. Not a direct challenge to Falcao per se but certainly an implied warning shot that Van Persie is by no means going to lay over and let his spot be taken.
Of course, many a pundit thinks that Louis van Gaal may opt to play Van Persie, Falcao and Rooney at the same time either as a three headed attack in a 4-3-3 or with Rooney in the attacking center midfield role in a 4-2-3-1 or 3-5-2.
One thing Van Persie is clearly perturbed about is the rumors that Falcao was brought in because the Dutchman was in need of knee surgery.
“I am impressed that people have the imagination to invent something like that,” was Van Persie’s response. “I do not know where it comes from and can say with my hand on my heart that I won’t be in a hospital to have the operation.”