According to Dutch coach Raymond Verheijen Robin van Persie would never have joined Manchester United had he known that Sir Alex Ferguson was going to leave the club.
Verheijen knows the Dutch striker well after having served on the Netherlands coaching staff that went to the World Cup in 2006 and then again in 2010.
The Dutch coach goes on to say that it was difficult for Robin to leave the Gunners, but he thought he had to in order to win trophies.
“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.”
