Real Madrid vs Man Utd: 5 Ways To Stop Mourinho’s Men

2. RVP + Rooney = 9½

After a home victory over his former club Arsenal last November, Robin Van Persie described himself and his strike partner Wayne Rooney as €˜9½s€™, a coalescence of the number 9 and 10 roles in which they have both assumed this season. Van Persie has predominantly been the number 9 (though his actual squad number is 20), enjoying himself in a free-scoring role that has rapidly endeared him to the United support, who are already comparing him to the past and present legends in the club€™s history. Having racked up an impressive 23 goals in 29 appearances so far, the Dutchman will surely be the opponent Madrid fear the most as he is, bar Messi and Ronaldo, probably the most dangerous forward player in the world right now. Blessed with a deft touch, intelligence of movement, and a lethal eye for goal, Los Blancos will find it arduous to suppress Van Persie€™s threat for the whole 90 minutes. Behind him, Rooney will be dropping deep and assisting with the midfield, though he is a formidable attacking danger who so often rises to the big occasions. The Scouser has been living in his team-mate€™s shadow this season, having suffered with niggling injuries and a patchy stretch of form, but he has come to the fore again of late, notching up 10 goals in his past 11 appearances, proving that he is more than capable of hitting the back of the net when given a sniff of goal. Rooney enjoys the robust side of football and even the most powerful of defenders find it difficult to tame his brute strength, which might work to his favour against a European back-four, although Sergio Ramos and Pepe are certainly no shrinking violets. At times this season, Rooney and Van Persie have struck up a fluid relationship with one another, understanding each other€™s game to scintillating effect, with both men equally comfortable in the position of provider and benefactor. Rooney has racked up 11 assists, while Van Persie has 10, and if the two are afforded too much space and time they will inevitably punish Los Blancos.