For large portions so far this season, Manchester United have had to make do without Robin van Persie, the Dutchman returning against Newcastle on Saturday following a four-match layoff with injury. In that time, it was up to Wayne Rooney to carry the team off his own back at times, the England international being the heartbeat of the Red Devils. But he was suspended at the weekend and van Persie very obviously wasn't match fit, and United toiled. Rooney drives his side forwards - his tireless energy levels and commitment are two qualities that help United get by without van Persie, and you could tell he wasn't on the pitch when van Persie struggled. United huffed and puffed as they tried to blow the Magpie's house down at the weekend but found it was built of bricks, as the old proverb goes, and that was because they lacked Rooney's cutting edge and simply aren't the same side without him.
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.
