EmpicsRobin van Persie's midweek goal can't hide his stuttered run of form recently

Fifteen years ago, Eric Cantona took an entire season by the scruff of the neck and claimed the double for Manchester United. It was a brilliant sporting achievement. The Frenchman’s goals and leadership inspired a team of young Reds who would become some of the greatest in the club’s history. As we enter December of the 2012/2013 campaign, supporters are asking; Can Robin van Persie do the same?

A few hundred United fans marched from a nearby pub wearing Eric masks in honour of the Frenchman, signed twenty years ago this week. They arrived at Old Trafford to find a line-up without a recognised winger. Trepidations about the side’s lack of width were eradicated as Robin van Persie scored the fastest goal of the Premier League season so far.

The Dutchman has had a couple of quiet matches but it took him just 33 seconds to score here and remind everyone that he is a striker at the peak of his powers. His goal was significant for two other reasons. Firstly, it was the first goal in the game. And secondly, Manchester United didn’t concede it.

The narrative of comebacks has been a recurring one in Manchester this season and it has been accompanied by an alarmingly generous defence. Seven teams have conceded fewer goals this season and the clean sheet was almost as important as the three points.

This was achieved with a pleasingly youthful line up. Jonny Evans was joined by Chris Smalling in defence with Rafael at right back. The young Brazilian has been almost ever-present this season and is starting to get the recognition he deserves. Always a danger when bombing forward, his defensive play is now much tidier than before. “Excellent” was how Sir Alex described his performance, it was almost an understatement.

Rio Ferdinand started this game on the bench and watched as Evans put in another sturdy performance at the back. Over the past couple of months the Irishman has begun to look like the club’s most reliable centre-back. Ferdinand has been courted by clubs abroad and could well see his time at United coming to a close if things continue like this.

Sam Allardyce has organised a defence or two in his time and West Ham are an extremely troublesome side to break down. For every dink or shimmy our players attempted, there was an elbow or tackle coming from one of their players. As such, the rest of the match became an exercise in frustration for United’s forwards, particularly Rooney, as they couldn’t find a killer second goal.

Van Persie had another quiet night in a United shirt but was still able to produce the deciding moment in a game where United let youth dominate the side. It isn’t the first time this has happened either and is almost reminiscent of Eric’s efforts in 1995/1996. In truth, Van Persie hasn’t played particularly well since the match at Chelsea in the league.

It is hard not to notice how utterly Chelsea have fallen apart since our victory at Stamford Bridge last month. From a side playing free-flowing football and scoring from everywhere, they have turned into nil-nil specialists and have the supporters in open mutiny against their new manager.

Well, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer bunch of guys.

Follow Mark on www.twitter.com/markjpayne

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