Fergie sacrificed values to sign Van Persie and Chelsea must make similar move

IT was a signing that went against his entire transfer ethos — yet was arguably  the biggest no-brainer of the 105 he made at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson was never scared to splash cash as he built, strengthened or restructured his all-conquering, title-winning teams.

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Yet as a shrewd old Scot, value for money was also a prime factor.

Very rarely did a new face arrive at Manchester United without a potential sell-on fee and the chance to recoup losses if it didn’t work out.

This one, though, was different. If it went wrong, there would be no move-him-on safety net.

Only Sir Alex knew it wouldn’t go wrong — and Sir Alex wasn’t usually wrong.

So when, in the summer of 2012, Arsenal agreed to sell Robin van Persie, he didn’t pause for breath, even with a £24million price tag.

That fee may be a drop in the ocean now but back then it was huge for a player nearing 30. Yet to Fergie it was a bargain.

Three months earlier, when THAT Aguerooooo goal meant Manchester City were champions by the  narrowest of margins, Sir Alex had vowed never to lose the title on goal difference again.

And with Van Persie as the new attacking spearhead, there was never a chance of it. United were champions by 11 points.

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The crown was back at Old Trafford, their Dutch striker topped the scoring charts and Fergie headed into retirement with a 13th Premier League title in the bag,

Van Persie’s goals sealed no fewer than 11 United wins that season. But the manager always did know the difference a proven big-game goalscorer can make.

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An assassin-eyed striker who — even if they didn’t end the season as the Prem’s top marksman — would get you over the line when the stakes were highest, the competition fiercest.

Most champion teams over the years have had that one man they can rely on. Didier Drogba at Chelsea, Alan Shearer at Blackburn, Jamie Vardy in that astonishing Leicester triumph.

Liverpool had Mo Salah AND Sadio Mane when they won the Prem. For two years Erling Haaland has banged them in for fun at City.

Just like Aguero back in 2012 — only third highest over the season, but the saviour when it mattered most. Never more than on the most dramatic final day ever.

Very rarely do you lift silver without a striker of pure gold.

It’s why they cost so much. It’s why the best teams always have at least one.

And also why it’s so remarkable that, despite splashing out more than £1billion, there is still a glaring gap in the Chelsea ranks.

Of course, there are those who will point to Thursday’s 8-0 Europa Conference League rampage and wonder what all the fuss is about. And they will be showing their ignorance.

It wasn’t Real Madrid or Barcelona who were put to the sword. Not a Manchester City or Liverpool. It was Noah. The Armenian equivalent of the Red Lion.

For a relevant reference point, look to the 1-1 draw with United four days earlier. A game Chelsea dominated but could not kill off.

Don’t buy that bull about a point at Old Trafford always being a decent result. It’s not when there’s such a chasm between the two sides as last weekend.

Chelsea, as they have so often this season, played some marvellous stuff. But once again there was no one to put the ball in the net. United weren’t praying for the whistle.

With a Drogba or Diego Costa in a blue shirt, they were breathing-space winners. Like City or Liverpool would have been. Like Spurs were with Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson.

Match winners who can make the difference in any season. Yet this time, when it’s shaping up to be the most open in the Prem era, potential title winners as well.

Yes, I know Chelsea have Cole Palmer, but he’s no attacking spearhead. He should be a great addition alongside your top dog.

And who in the current squad would that be? Not Nicolas Jackson, who misses too many chances. Not Christopher Nkunku, who’s never fit for long enough.

In a season of so many contenders, the title could be won by one flash of goalscoring genius. Yet until Chelsea find that man, it won’t be them.

Running riot against Noah is one thing but without a top   finisher, they’ll be sunk when it really matters.