THE PREM ERA 87£24m
Arsenal to Manchester United
Summer 2012
Ten years earlier, the idea of Arsenal’s best
player leaving for Manchester United would
have been unthinkable. But after a Golden
Boot-winning campaign in 2011-12, the
Dutchman went straight to the top
of Alex Ferguson’s shopping list.
Words: Klaas-Jan Droppert
&John HolmesdaleOn paper, the transfer of Robin van
Persie to Manchester United was a huge
gamble. United paid Premier League rivals
Arsenal £24 million for an injury-prone
29-year-old in the final year of his contract
who had been rejected by the club’s scouts
for disciplinary concerns a decade earlier.
Six months on, and it is clear that United
have got the better half of the deal. By the
end ofJanuary, Van Persie had scored18
league goals as United established a clear
lead over Manchester City, the cross-townrivals who had also attempted to sign the
Dutch striker.
“It was a lot of money for a player in
the last year of his contract,” admits United
manager Alex Ferguson. “But we wanted him
badly, so we were prepared to go the extra
mile.”
Perhaps inevitably, Van Persie
scored against his old side in November,
demonstrating that United have signed a
hugely gifted footballer who is both a maker
and taker of chances.
He may well have been scoring goals
for United much earlier. Ferguson revealed
recently that United scouts had watched Van
Persie at Feyenoord but his indiscipline had
put them off.
“Robin was only16 or17 at the time,”
said Ferguson. “We sentJim Ryan over to
Feyenoord and Robin was actually sent off in
the game.Jim said he was a fantastic talent,
but felt that he was a little immature.”
Instead, Van Persie left Feyenoord for
Arsenal in the summer of 2004, progressing
from promising young talent to Premier
League Golden Boot winner. Yet the onlytrophy that the Dutchman had to show
for his eight years in London was the
2005 FA Cup and, after his best-ever
season, he became restless.
“I’ve thought long and hard about it, but
I have decided not to extend my contract,”
announced Van Persie after a meeting with
Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan
Gazidis. “I love the club and the fans, no
matter what happens. I have grown up
and become a man during my time
with Arsenal.”
Van Persie faced a three-way choice over
his future, with offers from United, City and
Juventus. Wenger would have preferred to
sell to the Italian champions rather than a
direct rival, and was prepared to accept a
lower fee. But the player wanted to stay
in England and signed a four-year contract
with United a week after his 29th birthday.
The reported wage of £240,000 a week
was £60,000 a week lower, it appears,
than the bid tabled by Manchester City. It
was a decision made, he said, after listening
to the little boy inside him: “That boy was
screaming for United.”
“He’s a mature player and his start to the
season has been fantastic,” said Ferguson.
“I can’t say he’s better than I thought hewould be, because that’s why we bought
him. His goals tally last season was fantastic.
Hopefully that continues here.”
Hopefully indeed. If it does, Van Persie
may well get his hands on the league title
that has so far eluded him.Robin VAN PERSIE
Sure enough, Van Persie did end his first
season with a Premier League winners’
medal. Among his 26 goals – enough
to earn another Golden Boot – was the
sensational left-footed volley, converted
after a 50-yard pass from strike partner
Wayne Rooney, in the 3-0 victory over
Aston Villa that sealed United’s13t h
and, to date, last Premier League title.WHAT CAME NEXT...
“I’ve thought long
andhardabout it,
butIhavedecided
nottoextend
my contract”