Louis Van Gaal blasts RVP, says 13 touches is too less for a striker

Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal is disappointed with Robin Van Persie’s current form as the striker has struggled to find the back of the net despite regaining full fitness.

RVP

Van Persie touched the ball just 13 times (14 including kick0ff) in United last game against Arsenal and Van Gaal was clearly angry with such a performance, “I do think 13 is too few for a striker. You can count his touches of the ball.

“More importantly is how he is playing and it was a very bad game from him. That is why I changed him. I believe in the players, so when I change players it is normally because they are doing something not good in their performance.”

Van Gaal went on to add that the lack of goals is affecting the 31-year old’s performance as he isn’t doing much in his all round play, “It’s a question also of confidence, maybe a question of scoring a wonderful goal.

“You know how strikers are, they have to score goals. They feel like that, but it’s not that I’m asking that.

“I have said to them you have to be at an attacking point. You have to help our team come and search for space. For me, it is not important who is scoring, as long as the team score.”

The Dutchman has scored three times for United which is just one short of club top scorer Wayne Rooney, but has failed to provide any assists so far. His partnership with Rooney up front hasn’t been what the United fans would have liked to see as the duo have rarely found each other in the final third. With Angel Di Maria’s form tailing of a bit in the last few games and Radamel Falcao’s return, it’s imperative that he regains his form soon else he could be replaced.

United picked up their first away win of the season and it came at Arsenal expense as the gunners weren’t able to get through the young and tenacious defence of United. The win will give them a lot of confidence ahead of a relatively easier run as they face Hull and Stoke City in the next two games. United lie 4th in the table, 13 points behind current leaders Chelsea.