The Flying Dutchman

The heights that Mr van Persie's career could have hit had he pushed for a move elsewhere - Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, even Chelsea - much sooner, would have been truly monumental

Cristiano Ronaldo may have evolved into the ultimate goal-scoring poacher in recent times, but he still has a thing for the spectacular. The latest proof came against his former team, Manchester United, in the Champions League earlier this week. Latching on to a delicious Leonardo Bonucci aerial, Mr Ronaldo, almost like Buddy Rich pounding away at his cymbals, lashed a first-time volley past David de Gea. It was a worldie in every sense of the word — stupefying pass perfection culminating in a ferocious, technically brilliant finish of the most-superior quality. 

The strike was reminiscent of a goal scored by Robin