ROBIN VAN PERSIE

Are you freaking kidding me?

Too old they said,
Injury prone they said,
What a waste of money they said

Won't suit in Man United they said

Well... a debut season at Old Trafford with a total 12 goals after 17 appearances, he obviously was the right man for the job. And not only has he been scoring an abundant amount of goals, his assist record is now at 6 so far and it's sure to increase. Once he and Wayne Rooney began to show in form play together, the media had a field day of considering or asking if they were the Premier League's best strike partnership. Mind you these media antics appeared on headlines after only a handful of games once Rooney was fit from his two early spells with injury and illness.

It's hard to ignore an interesting statistic that shows van Persie, so far this season, has score 25% of his goals in the first 10 minutes of a match, his other higher statistic showing 34% being scored in the last 20 minutes of regular time. Being able to consistently score during these time periods shows his ability to gain a true focus at key moments of play, particularly the game winning goal or the game opener or United opener. 

Clearly his first goal in the Red Devil's shirt was a symbol of his patience and timing, here able to accept a beautiful cross from the right, then a second touch shot with the left foot. The shot hitting the goal keeper in the legs surely assisted, but his ability to keep it low was what saved the ball from being.... saved by the keeper. Haha.

In the same game, against Southampton, you can see a well played example of a set peice, delivered just enough into the middle for a hardly marked Robin van Persie to head it in. Notice the timing of these two goals and how they resemble his current "clutch" player form. Last season at Arsenal, Robin's total goals scored was 30, earning him the most goals scored by an individual that season. His record last year shows a bit of a similarity, scoring 23% during the 70th to 80th minute.

Throughout his career, Van Persie has scored a majority of his goals within the penalty spot or from being in a good rebound position, this year half his goals are coming from about twelve yards out. No one really complains how the goals come in and where from, I'm sure we can see plenty of more goals in the future that example his great distance shooting ability. So far 50% of his goals have come from about 12 yard out, around the all familiar spot. 

After a free kick like this curling in at the all important Manchester derby, a long distance strike delivered by United's Number 20. became the sealed deal for a United win. The Red Devil's went 6 points clear of City on the top of the league table, and their positions still rest after they both produced 3-1 finishes during the weekend. 

Inside the box, outside the box, from the corner, from the wing, Robin van. Persie truly is in the job of scoring goals. With the likes of great strikers to partner up with such as Wayne Rooney, the Mexican international Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, and England youth hopeful Danny Welbeck, United and Robin van Persie can realistically challenge for top prizes this year. Sir Alex sure could use another treble year before his imminent departure in the years to come (or half a year?). 

And before I finalize, here's the second goal he scored during the 3-2 victory over Southampton, an 87th minute header. The game provided with not only his debut goal, but his first United hat-trick. Who do you have your money on?

I said, OH ROBIN VAN PERSIE !

All images credited to rightful owners, broadcasting companies and image editors.

Statistics referenced from http://www.premierleague.com