6. United Can't Keep Relying On Rooney/RVP For Goals
Manchester United's reliance on Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie has become increasingly apparent in recent seasons, with the two strikers serving as the heartbeat of the team under both the Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes administrations. In 2012-13, United's lapse defending was countenanced by the combined 38 goals the duo scored, with RVP hitting 26 of those and Rooney 12. In 2013-14, when van Persie began to struggle through the injury crisis he suffered at former club Arsenal, his prolonged absence from the side was keenly felt as United huffed and puffed to seventh place - their worst finish since the Premier League began in 1992. They need an extra source of goals from their midfield and Arturo Vidal would provide that. Vidal directly contributed to 16 of Juventus€™ 80 league goals (11 goals and five assists) last season, according to WhoScored.com, which is a fantastic return from a player who plays as a central midfielder. Should United sign the Chilean, and keep Rooney and van Persie fit next season, they would be a far more formidable opponent than they have been in the last 12 months.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
