Jamie Redknapp recently said that Robin Van Persie will be a worried man following the arrival of goal-machine Radamel Falcao, and, now, according to the latest reports, the Dutchman is considering his future at Manchester United, with Real Madrid and Barcelona showing an interest.
Van Persie had a dream first season with Manchester United, gunning them to the English Premier League title under Sir Alex Ferguson.
However, since Ferguson's retirement, things haven't gone so smoothly for the former Arsenal striker, with injuries and the lack of understanding with David Moyes rather curtailing his United career a bit.
With the appointment of Louis Van Gaal, Van Persie's manager with the Netherlands team until the 2014 World Cup, things were expected to turn around, but Van Persie has managed only one goal in the season so far, and that too in the 5-3 loss to Leicester City last weekend.
With Van Gaal revealing Wayne Rooney, the club captain, will not be dropped, it will have to be one of Van Persie or Falcao, if the manager plays Rooney as a striker. However, as was evident in that Leicester game, Van Gaal can also play all three players in one side, with Rooney playing a more deeper role.
Indeed, it was Falcao who set up the goal for Van Persie to head home, showing that the two can co-exist together in the same XI.
However, according to reports in Spain, Barcelona and Real Madrid have shown a deep interest to bring in Van Persie to the La Liga next summer, and are monitoring proceedings.
Van Persie, apparently, will have a talk with Van Gaal over his future, in order to ensure that he is still very much valued at Manchester United and remains their main striker.
Van Gaal and Van Persie enjoy a really good relationship, and it is unlikely that Van Persie will demand a move away as long as his compatriot is in charge at Old Trafford. But, with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona circling, a transfer can never be ruled out.
Manchester United might even consider using Van Persie in a swap deal to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back from Real Madrid in a move which might suit all parties, as the Spanish giants are reportedly ready to let go of their talisman next summer.
