Fergie: Van Persie wanted Reds move
Source: Agencies |
August 18, 2012, Saturday
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DUTCH international striker Robin van Persie was "desperate" to join Manchester United and wanted the challenge of "coming to the biggest club in the world", manager Alex Ferguson claimed yesterday.
Van Persie, last season's Premier League top scorer with 30 goals for Arsenal, has signed a four-year deal with the Reds.
"It's an honor to sign for Manchester United," Van Persie said. "I am looking forward to following in the footsteps of so many great strikers, bringing my experience and playing my part to help the team compete for the biggest trophies in the game. I can't wait to get started."
Ferguson said the opportunity to sign a striker of van Persie's calibre was too good to resist. "I didn't think it was possible we could get van Persie when we talked about it last year but, when I heard he'd refused to sign a new contract and made it publicly known that he wanted to leave Arsenal, then we had to be interested - there's no question about that," Ferguson told MUTV.
"Robin is a world class striker with a proven record in England and in European football. His talents need no introduction to our fans - he has scored a number of goals against us in some classic battles with his former club. His movement, finishing and all-round ability are outstanding.
"It wasn't an easy one. Understandably, (Arsenal manager) Arsene Wenger didn't want to sell to Manchester United.
"The boy wanted to come to us and that's important.
"He turned down various clubs to join us because he wants the challenge of coming to the biggest club in the world. I think that's fantastic. That's what swung it and what made it possible... the only negotiation left was agreeing a fee with Arsenal as there was no-one else in the picture because the boy wanted it and was desperate to come to Manchester United."
Despite his terrific season, Van Persie told Arsenal last month that he was unhappy with the direction it was taking. Arsenal finished third in the Premier League last season.
Van Persie, last season's Premier League top scorer with 30 goals for Arsenal, has signed a four-year deal with the Reds.
"It's an honor to sign for Manchester United," Van Persie said. "I am looking forward to following in the footsteps of so many great strikers, bringing my experience and playing my part to help the team compete for the biggest trophies in the game. I can't wait to get started."
Ferguson said the opportunity to sign a striker of van Persie's calibre was too good to resist. "I didn't think it was possible we could get van Persie when we talked about it last year but, when I heard he'd refused to sign a new contract and made it publicly known that he wanted to leave Arsenal, then we had to be interested - there's no question about that," Ferguson told MUTV.
"Robin is a world class striker with a proven record in England and in European football. His talents need no introduction to our fans - he has scored a number of goals against us in some classic battles with his former club. His movement, finishing and all-round ability are outstanding.
"It wasn't an easy one. Understandably, (Arsenal manager) Arsene Wenger didn't want to sell to Manchester United.
"The boy wanted to come to us and that's important.
"He turned down various clubs to join us because he wants the challenge of coming to the biggest club in the world. I think that's fantastic. That's what swung it and what made it possible... the only negotiation left was agreeing a fee with Arsenal as there was no-one else in the picture because the boy wanted it and was desperate to come to Manchester United."
Despite his terrific season, Van Persie told Arsenal last month that he was unhappy with the direction it was taking. Arsenal finished third in the Premier League last season.
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