Robin van Persie responded to the challenge laid down by Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal by ending his barren spell with a stunning goal against Hull City.
Van Gaal had claimed ahead of this game that Van Persie was low on confidence after having a ‘very bad’ game before being substituted against Arsenal last week.
But with the 31-year-old’s place under threat from Radamel Falcao and teenager James Wilson, Van Persie delivered an emphatic reminder of his quality by scoring the third goal in United’s comfortable victory against last season’s FA Cup finalists.
First-half goals from Chris Smalling and Wayne Rooney had put United in control of the game by half-time, but Van Persie’s effort – a powerful left-foot strike from twenty yards – could be worth far more than three points in terms of the psychology of the player and Van Gaal’s team.
With last Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Arsenal ending United’s wait for their first away win of the season, they went into this game aiming to capitalise on the momentum generated by the success at the Emirates.
That win had taken United into the top four for the first time since the early days of David Moyes’ failed reign as manager and, with back-to-back games against Hull and Stoke City at Old Trafford this week, the opportunity to consolidate a place in the Champions League spots was clear.
Steve Bruce, taking charge of his 700th game as a manager against the club he captained to two Premier League titles, was seeking to generate a different kind of momentum having seen his team lose to Spurs and Burnley in their last two outings.
But Hull were never in the game and United were able to coast to the points, even though another injury – this time a hamstring strain suffered by Angel di Maria – took the shine off the victory.
The £59.7m British record signing had shown bursts of pace and purpose before limping out of the action on thirteen minutes clutching his right hamstring.
Di Maria’s replacement, Ander Herrera, made a positive impact, however, and proved key to United’s ability to break Hull down before half-time.
The Spaniard was celebrating his team’s opening goal within three minutes of entering the fray when referee Anthony Taylor signalled a goal for Chris Smalling on the basis of the goal decision system.
Hull ‘keeper Allan McGregor had saved Smalling’s side-foot effort, but the Scot then rolled backwards and carried the ball over the line.
Whether Smalling will ultimately be allowed to claim the goal – his first since scoring against Hull at the KC Stadium on Boxing Day last season – is debatable due to McGregor’s contribution, but nonetheless, it was a goal that United’s positive opening merited.
Such was the home side’s dominance of possession that Hull forward Nikica Jelavic barely saw the ball, never mind touch it.
And so poor was Hatem Ben Arfa’s contribution that Bruce withdrew the on-loan Newcastle winger after just 35 minutes.
United simply kept Hull penned in, with Herrera, Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini all having a positive impact in midfield.
Van Persie struggled to threaten the Hull goal, but the Dutch forward did play a central role in United’s second goal with an assist for Rooney’s strike.
Ater Herrera had won an aerial battle with Robbie Brady, Van Persie laid the ball into Rooney’s path for the United captain to score from 20 yards.
Van Persie’s lay-off highlighted the Dutch forward’s all-round contribution and work ethic, but the goal that his confidence needed continued to elude him.
It almost came in spectacular style early in the second-half when he met a long ball from Michael Carrick with a diving header, reminiscent of the one he scored for Holland against Spain during the World Cup, which was well saved by McGregor.
But the former Arsenal striker was finally rewarded for his endeavour with a stunning goal to end his barren spell on 66 minutes.
Once again, Herrera made a telling contribution by intercepting a loose ball by Andrew Robertson before teeing up Van Persie.
But the finish was as though Van Persie was unleashing the frustrations of recent weeks, with his fierce left-foot strike from twenty yards leaving McGregor completely helpless.
When he replaced by Falcao moments later, Van Persie was given a standing ovation by the Old Trafford crowd.
His performance may not have merited that, but Van Persie will now hope that the goal marks a turning point towards a more prolific run in front of goal.
And but for a desperate goal line clearance by Michael Dawson in the final minute, Falcao would have joined Van Persie in scoring a morale-boosting goal.
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