Robin van Persie famously left Arsenal to join Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, where he clinched a Premier League title. However, he revealed he could have chosen a different path, with Manchester City and Juventus also vying for his signature.
This weekend, as United return to the Emirates Stadium for an FA Cup third-round clash, memories resurface of players like Van Persie, who represented both clubs. The Dutch striker joined Arsenal in 2004, overcoming injuries to become a prolific scorer, winning the FA Cup and Community Shield. By 2012, as his contract entered its final year, Van Persie announced he wouldn’t renew, sparking a bidding war among top clubs, including City and Juventus.
Ultimately, United’s £22 million offer and Ferguson’s influence proved decisive. Van Persie has credited Ferguson’s winning mentality and leadership as the key reasons for choosing Old Trafford over other options. Reflecting on his decision in 2020, he explained: “Ferguson made the difference for me. I wanted to win, and looking at players like Giggs, Carrick, Scholes, Vidic, and Ferdinand, I knew they were winners. I needed to be part of that.”
In his first season at United, Van Persie delivered spectacularly, winning the Premier League and contributing 30 goals and nine assists in all competitions. However, after Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, his form declined, hampered by injuries and managerial changes under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal. In his final United season, Van Gaal bluntly informed him that his time at the club was over, a decision Van Persie described as “ruthless.” Despite having a contract and deep ties to England, he accepted the situation and eventually moved to Fenerbahce.
Van Persie later returned to Old Trafford during the 2016/17 Europa League, scoring against United in a 4-1 defeat while receiving a standing ovation from the fans, marking a bittersweet chapter in his remarkable career.
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