Robin van Persie had a somewhat imperious rating of 89 in FIFA 14 but a poor personal season at Manchester United in 2013-14 has apparently seen that score drop by two points. RVP commands a still-respectable rating of 87 in '15 and it's only right that EA have taken measures to bring the virtual Dutchman down a notch. The real van Persie suffered with injury last season and endured a somewhat wretched campaign under David Moyes, making only 21 Premier League appearances after being sidelined with a knee injury at various intervals. To his credit, the Holland World Cup star was still able to net 12 goals in the league but that's a considerable drop from the 26 he managed in 2012-13. As such it makes a lot of sense seeing van Persie's rating take a gradual nosedive but with compatriot Louis van Gaal now in charge at Old Trafford we could be about to see the Dutchman flourish under his countryman, with the pair enjoying a good working relationship. If van Gaal can get the best out of RVP and return him to the levels he was at in his debut season at the club two years ago, van Persie will be back near the 89 point threshold before long.
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.
