|
|
Van Persie is Manchester United's Messi, says O'Neill
Dec 17, 2012 12:25:00 AM
Following the striker's goal against Sunderland on Saturday, the Black Cats manager believes he influences his team-mates in a similar manner than the Argentine
| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £52.50 | Draw £44.00 | Barcelona £16.15 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £55.00 | Draw £37.50 | Barcelona £16.20 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £55.00 | Draw £42.00 | Barcelona £15.71 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £50.00 | Draw £41.00 | Barcelona £16.20 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Espanyol £55.00 | Draw £40.00 | Barcelona £15.70 |
|
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has compared the impact Robin van Persie has had at Manchester United to that of Lionel Messi at Barcelona.
The £24 million summer signing has netted 12 goals in 17 Premier League appearances for his new side, including opening the scoring in 3-1 win over the Black Cats on Saturday.
Messi scored his 89th and 90th goals of the calendar year on Sunday night against Atletico Madrid to extend his own record, and O’Neill believes Van Persie gives United a similar lift to that of the Argentine at Camp Nou.
"[Van Persie] can get goals out of very little. It looks like nothing is happening, you have players in the area, but all of a sudden he has opened up a gap," O'Neill told reporters.
"Would Barcelona have the same effect if Lionel Messi didn't play? They are a very talented team, but without him you don't know, because Messi is their talisman.
"United have paid close on £30m for a player [£24m] who had just one year left on his contract, so that might tell you how valuable they perceive him. But it's not just the perception, the reality is that he has been fantastic."
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets |
|
| Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached! |
|
| Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET! |
|
Related Stories
Make Your Prediction Choose match
Espanyol - FC Barcelona
Espanyol
FC Barcelona
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
Espanyol 1-3 FC Barcelona
- 18.22 %
-
Espanyol 0-3 FC Barcelona
- 9.83 %
-
Espanyol 1-2 FC Barcelona
- 7.87 %
Inside Goal.Com
-
Player Ratings: Dortmund 1-2 Bayern
Goal.com rates the players on show as die Roten edge out their Bundesliga rivals to complete the double after a closely contested Champions League final at Wembley
-
Robben is finally Bayern's braveheart
The winger was the driving force behind the German outfit's triumph after years of playing second fiddle in the final
-
Pep has a lot to live up to after Bayern win
The Catalan coach was appointed in January with a view to getting the best out of the Bavarians' golden generation. But just four months on, they are already European champions
-
Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
-
Top 10 Champions League Final Moments
As Europe braces itself for an all German classic at Wembley on Saturday, Goal.com takes a look back at some of the iconic moments in the history of Uefa's showpiece event since its rebranding in 1992.
