Sir Alex Ferguson does not like to lose, particularly the English Premier League title on goal difference to neighbors and big spenders Manchester City. To right what he sees is an enormous wrong, Sir Alex has gone into overdrive in the summer, and nothing says 'I want to win now' more than buying last year's top scorer, Robin Van Persie, from rivals and title contenders Arsenal.
Ferguson a few years back said he would never spend a lot of money on a player over 25. But he has just shelled out a minimum of £20 million ($31.3 million), rising even further based on appearances and success, for a 29-year-old, with a far from convincing injury history. There is no way Ferguson would have been in the market for Van Persie, if United had won the title last season; instead, thanks to the last-second heroics of Sergio Aguero, the perennial title winners, were consigned to second place.
The fact that United lost out on Eden Hazard and Lucas Moura would also have increased the desire to make a marquee signing for the summer, as much to improve the team, as to make a statement of intent to their "noisy neighbors."
If the Van Persie signing works, it will be seen as one of the buys of the summer without a doubt. Although the £20 million fee, in some quarters it is believed the initial fee is a little higher than that, might be a little on the expensive side for a 29-year-old, who only had one year remaining on his contract and had made his intentions clear on not signing a new deal, players like Van Persie do not come along too often in the transfer market.
Last year, the Dutchman was the difference between Arsenal finishing third and missing out on a Champions League place. The striker's quality is undoubted and if he can forge a partnership with Wayne Rooney, the rest of the teams, including City, will be playing catch-up.
However, United still seem to have an achilles heel, and that is their midfield. Paul Scholes cannot be expected to play day in and day out. The classy midfielder will be used sparingly by Ferguson, as will Ryan Giggs, and while Tom Cleverley has come along quite nicely in the summer and Darren Fletcher's return to action has come as a big boost, there does seem to be a big gap that still needs to be filled.
The comeback from injury of captain Nemanja Vidic, will no doubt be a huge boost, and the central defender will definitely bring an assurance to the backline, that was sometimes lacking last season.
New signing Shinji Kagawa is sure to excite the United faithful as well as fans of the English Premier League, but it will be interesting to see how quickly the Japanese playmaker adapts to the Premier League's pace. Ashley Young needs to improve his consistency while Nani can still be hit-and-miss at times. Antonio Valencia had a stellar campaign last season, and has looked the part ever since making his move to Old Trafford.
Ferguson is brilliant at getting the best out of most players and the winning mentality he instils in his squad is second to none. United's attack, with Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez as their other strikers, looks like one of the best in the Premier League this season and no doubt the Van Persie-Rooney partnership will grab all the attention, at least for the first few games. While, solving the midfield puzzle might be key to the Red Devils topping the table come May, with Van Persie and Rooney in their squad, Ferguson will be quietly confident the title will not be at least decided on goal difference.
