Robin van Persie has revealed how close he came to joining Italian club Juventus, before finally joining Manchester United.
As reported by Italian outlet calciomercato.com, Van Persie says an agreement has been reached in principle to move from Arsenal to the Italian giants.
However, it was a move to Manchester that finally materialized, and the striker set his sights on a Premier League title.
Van Persie recalls a meeting with the Arsenal hierarchy that inadvertently convinced him that his future lay outside of the Emirates.
“One day the president of Arsenal showed me the positive balance, I told him that I didn’t care at all and that I only wanted to win the Premier League,” he said.
Knowing that his ambitions were no longer aligned with the club, he set out to move from London, and Italy seemed a viable option.
“I wanted to leave England so I found a deal with Juventus but Arsenal blew it all up. So I went to Manchester United,” he said.
In what turned out to be Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season at United, he convinced the Dutch hitman that Old Trafford was the place for him and the move paid off.
United battled for the Premier League title back from Manchester City, finishing the season 11 points clear of their rowdy neighbors to hand United their 20th top-flight crown.
Van Persie played a starring role during the campaign, finishing as the league’s top scorer and providing many memorable moments.
The Dutchman scored big goals at City and Liverpool, as well as netting at Stamford Bridge, White Hart Lane and home and away against old club Arsenal.
His crowning moment, however, came the night he clinched the title. With Aston Villa looking to crash the party, the left-footed wizard scored an incredible hat trick, including one of the greatest goals ever seen at the Theater of Dreams.
Wayne Rooney blasted a 40-yard ball to Van Persie, who drifted into space before firing a wonderful first-time volley past Brad Guzan to put United two up on the night and send Old Trafford to rapture.
The unforgettable night was arguably the last big night at Old Trafford with the club’s struggles over the past decade well documented.
Van Persie’s compatriot Erik ten Hag is the latest manager tasked with bringing the club’s glory days back and United return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest tonight.
United Matchday Magazine – Stay on top of everything in the red. Still itching for more United content? Get everything you need right here. For just £1.25 per issue / £3.75 per month, you’ll receive unique United information, delivered directly to your inbox, before every game and throughout the month.
Get exclusive preparation for every game, plus team news, tactics and history. Not only that – United Matchday is packed with articles, news, transfer news, riddles, nostalgia and humor. Impress your friends and stay on top of everything in red!
