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28 March 2024

Van Persie finds Man Utd foil: Chicharito in 4-4-2

Mexico's Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez (green jersey) battles for the ball with Serbia's Kolarov Aleksandar during a friendly match in Queretaro November 11, 2011. (Reuters)

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By Staff

Does Sir Alex Ferguson know his Best XI?

He might, he just may not have all the players he wants to play that squad.

Which raises the question, does Sir Alex know his current Best XI to start Manchester United’s next game with?

The first three games of the season clearly suggested that the testing was still on.

Robin Van Persie on the bench. Wayne Rooney on the bench. Van Persie and Rooney together. Danny Wellbeck on the left.

Nothing worked. Not as well as Sir Alex or the Stretford End would have liked, at least.

Then came the game against Southampton.

United, thanks to an invisible midfield and sloppy defence were starting down the barrel, 1-2 down with less than 10 minutes to go.

In his, 1,000th game in charge of United, Sir Alex showed that he still hold enough of cards to play this game.

One came Paul Scholes and then, the real throw of the dice, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez.

As Van Persie scored his 100th Premier League goal, the team that is Sir Alex’s best to pick had revealed itself, finally.

Chicharito is the perfect, if unlikely, foil for Van Persie upfront. Sir Alex himself admitted that in the post-match comments, noting that “Chicharito running in between them (Southampton) had stretched the defence”.

Yes Southampton was tired, but Chicharito’s reputation for his ability to head the ball meant he was an added pressure at the corner kick that led to the third goal.

Somebody had to mark him, leaving Van Persie space.

Fergie’s natural choice is Wellbeck, that is quite clear.

However, for his speed, ability to stretch the defence and freeing up of space for Van Persie to work his magic, Chicharito selects himself.

That’s your first choice for the two up front Fergie, now, what about the rest?