Is Van Persie Slipping Sadly Into The Night? Turning 32 in August and with his performances on the wane, have we lost the Robin van Persie we once knew? Remember the majesty of 2012/13, not the decline...

Absence is supposed to make the heart grow fonder, but one would forgive Robin van Persie for doubting that maxim. The Manchester United striker has targeted the derby against Manchester City on April 12 as his return date from an ankle injury. Cue shifty looks between supporters who stare at the ground awkwardly. There is an elephant in the room: United are better off without Van Persie. The striker's ankle injury has coincided with United's finest performances of the season, Marouane Fellaini excelling behind Wayne Rooney with Juan Mata and Ashley Young providing the width. With Van Persie in the side United have taken 1.83 points per game this season, without him 2.4. The latter figure is based on an admittedly small sample, but there has been a fluidity and verve to United's play in Van Persie's absence. That will be deeply concerning for a striker approaching his 32nd birthday. In the age when everything must be judged as hot or not, top or flop, hit or s**t, there is no doubt that United have got their value from Van Persie. Bought in the summer of 2012 as an expensive set of earplugs, the Dutchman promptly silenced the noisy neighbours. This was a statement of intent from Alex Ferguson, who broke the mould to pay £24m for a 29-year-old. Pipe down, Roberto Mancini. Given the momentous events towards the end of that season, it's easy to overlook just how wonderful Van Persie was as United won the league. The club's only league ever-present, his goalscoring surged Fergie's side towards the title, an astonishing extended period of sumptuous finishing. Van Persie retained the Premier League Golden Boot, was named United's Player of the Season and merited inclusion on UEFA's ten-man shortlist for the Best Player in Europe award.Absence is supposed to make the heart grow fonder, but one would forgive Robin van Persie for doubting that maxim. The Manchester United striker has targeted the derby against Manchester City on April 12 as his return date from an ankle injury. Cue shifty looks between supporters who stare at the ground awkwardly. There is an elephant in the room: United are better off without Van Persie. The striker's ankle injury has coincided with United's finest performances of the season, Marouane Fellaini excelling behind Wayne Rooney with Juan Mata and Ashley Young providing the width. With Van Persie in the side United have taken 1.83 points per game this season, without him 2.4. The latter figure is based on an admittedly small sample, but there has been a fluidity and verve to United's play in Van Persie's absence. That will be deeply concerning for a striker approaching his 32nd birthday. In the age when everything must be judged as hot or not, top or flop, hit or s**t, there is no doubt that United have got their value from Van Persie. Bought in the summer of 2012 as an expensive set of earplugs, the Dutchman promptly silenced the noisy neighbours. This was a statement of intent from Alex Ferguson, who broke the mould to pay £24m for a 29-year-old. Pipe down, Roberto Mancini. Given the momentous events towards the end of that season, it's easy to overlook just how wonderful Van Persie was as United won the league. The club's only league ever-present, his goalscoring surged Fergie's side towards the title, an astonishing extended period of sumptuous finishing. Van Persie retained the Premier League Golden Boot, was named United's Player of the Season and merited inclusion on UEFA's ten-man shortlist for the Best Player in Europe award.