Van Gerwen faces Man United comparison as major drought continues

MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has been compared to Manchester United amid fears his glory days are behind him.

The three-time world champion has slipped outside the world's top four for the first time in 14 years despite lifting World Series and ProTour titles earlier this season.

Van Gerwen, 36, remains one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen, winning a staggering 48 major trophies during his glittering career, second only to Phil Taylor.

The Dutchman also boasts a record 38 European Tour titles, more than any player in history.

But Van Gerwen has not won a televised ranked major since 2023, despite reaching SIX finals during that period.

His recent struggles have drawn comparisons with the Red Devils, who dominated English football under Sir Alex Ferguson with 13 Premier League titles

But since Fergie retired back in 2013, the club have failed to add to that tally despite appointing TWELVE different permanent managers.

Pundit Chris Murphy believes Van Gerwen's biggest issue is that he no longer knows what version of himself will turn up.

He told the Love the Darts podcast: “He's become, I think, the most unpredictable player in the sport.

“I think that is a massive concern for him, because I don't think he knows what to expect when he gets on the oche. Your used to expect winning, aren’t you?

“He was demolishing his opponents and now he just doesn't know.

“That don't know can sometimes be playing incredible darts and winning tournaments. Other times it can be sort of going out without a good performance at all.”

Presenter Michael Bridge believes Van Gerwen still carries the same star quality whenever he steps on stage.

He added: “Do you look at Michael and sometimes it's a bit like Manchester United.

“They're not the Manchester United of the Fergie era, but if you've got them, you always feel that kind of glamour element.

“He's always, I'll say time and time again on this podcast, if you've got a ticket to Michael van Gerwen, you're in for a good night.”

Murphy admits Van Gerwen's reputation still commands respect, but questioned how long that aura can remain.

He continued: “But when does it stop when you've always got it, but they say you've always got it, but when does it kind of stop being there?

“Man United is a good example because they've never got back to those glory days, have they? So I think it's really difficult.”

Commentator and pundit Laura Turner believes Van Gerwen's biggest issue now comes at the PDC Premier events.

She said: “You can compare, can't you, though, to other players as well.

“Like we've seen the kind of year-by-year demise of, say, Peter Wright, who didn't qualify, but you've got Michael Smith that hasn't qualified [for the World Matchplay].

“We were asking those kind of questions before and we continue to ask them about Michael [van Gerwen].

“But you say that he still picks up titles this year, he's won on the World Series, he's won on the Pro Tour.

“So he's still winning, but it's just, I think the question comes in sometimes in these major tournaments.”

Words: Aaron Nijjar

Image: Taylor Lanning