Passed down from his dad, Sir Alex Ferguson has a sure-fire remedy for Robin van Persie’s goal drought – power over precision.
While the Dutchman is still Manchester United’s top scorer, he will enter Monday’s top-of-the-table clash with City having only netted once in his last 12 games.
Ferguson is certain van Persie will improve his luck soon – claiming even the best strikers endure barren runs – but for now should listen to some fatherly advice.
“My dad always used to say ‘make sure you batter the ball – don’t tap it or try and side-foot it into the net’,” Ferguson said.
“That’s what I always tell strikers too. If the goalkeeper saves it, you can say ‘what a great save’. But if you try to side-foot it and the keeper catches it easily you get criticised.
“The goals will come. All strikers have little dry spells. You have to get through that period and not lose your faith and belief in yourself.”
Van Persie has enjoyed a season free from injury after United shelled out £24m to prise him away from Arsenal last summer.
The 29-year-old often saw more of the treatment room than the pitch during his time at the Gunners, but Ferguson insists fitness worries are not to blame for the striker’s run of form.
“Robin doesn’t need a rest, that’s for sure,” the Scot added.
“He’s a strong lad with a great physique. It’s disappointing he wasn’t awarded the goal at Sunderland – I can understand that because it took a wicked deflection.
“But the shot was fantastic – it was hit with such venom that it’s not surprising it took a deflection.
“His ability to manoeuvre his position at that point was excellent.”
The upcoming Manchester derby arguably loses some of its importance as United are a mammoth 15 points ahead of City with only eight games to go.
However, Ferguson is wary that the Blues will look to embarrass the Premier League leaders and end their season on a high note.
“It’ll be a big game for City – they’ll want to come and derail us for a spell,” he said. “I can understand their motivation – we’d probably have the same thing.
“There will still be a great intensity about the game. It’s the only game and it will be shown all over the world.
“That does seep into the fabric of what the game will be like for both teams. You can’t dismiss that.”
Image courtesy of Yahoo UK, via YouTube, with thanks.
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