RVP won’t have joined United if he knew Fergie was going to retire

Robin Van Persie would never have made the switch to Manchester United from Arsenal if he knew about Sir Alex Ferguson’s impending retirement, according to Dutch coach Raymond Verheijen.

Verheijen was part of the Netherlands’ coaching staff that went to the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and knows Van Persie well.The Dutchman revealed RVP’s decision to leave Arsenal was a painful one made out of the desperation to win silverware at a crucial point in his career.

Verheijen said: ”Robin isn’t stupid, he knows exactly how late [in his career] it is.

“For years he was at Arsenal winning nothing, and then he made the move to Man United so at least he could win some things in his career because he was already in his late 20s.

“He had a lot of loyalty to Arsenal and it was difficult for him – it was a painful move. Ideally he would have finished his career at Arsenal winning some trophies.

“He knew that was not going to happen, so he had to make that move. He made a painful, but brilliant move. He had a very successful first year, wins the title and then thinks ‘let’s go for the Champions League now’.

“Then, all of a sudden, Ferguson retires.” Verheijen told Four Four Two, “How do you think he felt?

“If he had known that was going to happen he still would have left Arsenal, because staying there would mean zero trophies. 

“He would definitely have moved but would have more than likely gone to Barcelona or Bayern Munich.”

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