The Rooney-Persie-Kagawa Conundrum

Sir Alex Ferguson is a manager who has done it all.For more than two decades, he has built great teams and come up with brilliant alternatives when forced to dismatle them. However, one aspect of his brilliance is often overlookedhis tactical nous. From the classic British 4-4-2 that kept Cole, Yorke, Solksjaer, Sheringham satisfied to the almost 4-3-3 that utilised Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez and now to the 4-4-1-1, using a classic No 10. For over two seasons, Rooney has played this role and played it well. He scored over 25 goals last season and combined brilliantly with Welbeck as he did with Chicharito the previous season. However, he is not a classic No 10, as is apparent by the times when he looks overrun and off the pace, like in the recent game against Everton. What sets Rooney apart from some of the other great players of his generation is the fact that when he's not having a good game, he seems to go missing.

Manchester United's signings this season have certainly gotten tongues wagging. From Shinji Kagawa to Robin Van Persie, the forward line has been altered considerably. This, despite Rooney and Welbeck combining brilliantly in the previous season. Why so ? This article will endeavour to give a probable answer.

Everybody remarked how United didn't seem their best previous season, due to a shoddy midfield which had to be carried by Giggs and Scholes. However, their campaign in Europe was insightful in the extreme. The manner of United's defeat against Athletic Bilbao (an excellent team, who you'll be reading more of) was shocking. They were simply played off the pitch by a team that finished 6th in La Liga.Imagine, if it had been Barcelona or Madrid. Bilbao's relentless pressing and poor technical ability or rather one-dimesionality of most United players was ruthlessly exposed.

The two major signings have  been remarked upon:

Shinji Kagawa- United have been looking for a genuine No 10 for so long, it was hard not to see this coming. Maybe, it is no coincidence, that they were lookin at Wes Sneijder the previous season. Kagawa is an anomaly in England. Almost a David Silva like figure he can play centrally, on either flank and create and finish with aplomb. Part of a very exciting Borussia Dortmund team, he is certainly a fantastic signing.


Robin Van Persie- Robin Van Persie is a different kettle of fish altogether. He is the probably the only player in the world apart from a certain Messi that can turn scorer and creator with devastating effect. Like most Dutch players,he is fantastic on the ball, can pick a pass and score with audacity as evidenced by his finish against Fulham the other night. The fact that he can play the Sneijder role and the Huntelaar role with equal ease is certainly remarkable. Much like Rooney though, he has had his share of off field problems with disagreements with Van Marwjik at Feyenoord, injuries at Arsenal etc.

Kagawa as 10

Nick Powell- A promising English attacker, however his League two experience and young age would certainly combine in him not seeing much game time this season.
To analyse what can be done here we'll just make each of Kagawa, Van Persie and Rooney our no 10's here and see where the others stand:

1. Kagawa as 10: This is the dream match. He is one of those players that can be devastating as creator-in-chief. His awareness is very similar to Mesut Ozil as is evidenced by his penchant for finding space and dropping between the lines. Rooney or Van Persie would be the striker.Both could play only if one was shunted to the flank which would be Van Persie to the left, due to Valencia's meteoric rise. Seems like a strange waste of resources.

Rooney as 10

2. Rooney as 10: Van Persie as striker, kagawa on the left flank which is very threatening for Nani's future at the club. However, this would certainly be a waste of Kagawa's abilities and is not very probable.

3. Persie as 10: This is again not very possible, as Rooney may excel in a striking role, Kagawa will be underutilised.

Persie as 10

The first  alternative would make a lot more sense. What if  Ferguson wants  to revert to the classic 4-3-3 of Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez ? Rather than his static 4-4-1-1 and slightly better 4-2-1-3, this would be a formation that could be the future. This would explain why no tough tackling midfielder has arrived at United.Kagawa could be a 10,and the front three could be Welbeck/Nani/Rooney/Young-Van Persie/Rooney/Chicharito-Valencia/Rooney. Kagawa  playing at the tip of the midfield triangle would be a big boost to United's creativity especially in Europe. Also,the reason for Van Persie's acquisition could be Ferguson's takeaway from the Euros with a False Nine and Van Persie is the falsest nine that England has ever seen. Also, a move to a possession oriented midfield would be helped by a striker dropping back and making an almost four man midfield which would be a great help in the Champions League. Italy had more possession than Spain for the first half of the Euro final, simply by having an extra man in midfield (even though that man came from a four man defence being cut to three). Van Persie's signing, for all the questions it raises, is still a brilliant signing. Also, this might be Alex Ferguson's last chance to build a European Cup winning team. Simply cannot wait to see what he comes up with. Comments and suggestions are welcome. I'd be happy to make any clarifications if needed. Cheers..