That's not to say that Van Persie has been utterly useless this season, because he hasn't, and has contributed some important goals. The highlights of his season have been the injury-time equaliser against Chelsea, his two goals in United's daylight robbery 2-1 win at Southampton, and a goal against Liverpool. But Van Persie hasn't been the galvanising force that he was in his first season and, despite the big goals, his contributions have come through moments of brilliance rather than any sustained period of good form.