Robin Van Persie has lifted the lid on his Manchester United exit, claiming manager Louis Van Gaal didn’t give him a proper chance at getting his place in the first team back.
The striker joined Fenerbahce last week, after 3 seasons at United in which he fired the club to a record 20th league title. A fan favourite, things began to go wrong when Sir Alex left. The injuries that plagued his Arsenal career resurfaced and limited his game time and goal scoring. Last term he managed just 10 goals in a disrupted campaign and on high wages, the club decided to let him go.
Van Persie’s move to Fenerbahce has yet to be acknowledged by Manchester United, and whilst some believe there is some malice behind this, it is being reported that it is due to no figure being agreed between the two clubs.
But if Van Persie had his way he would still be at Old Trafford, as he told The Times in his first interview since leaving United:
“I asked to play in the reserves, to get my minutes, but after was on the bench again. The atmosphere changed between me and Louis and people at the club saw it, but I was always professional. At that point I didn’t think to leave. Bouchra was happy, the kids were happy. I was happy in Manchester.”
Van Persie cites an exchange between the two at United’s annual golf day as the moment when he knew his time was up at the club:
“I was still thinking we could come back from holiday and start from scratch… But when I came back it wasn’t an honest battle any more.Fighting to get back into the team wasn’t given me as an option. He was sending me to Pitch 2. And I’m a mature player. I’m not stupid, I didn’t get angry or emotional. These things are part of football, part of life. You have to make the best out of any situation, so I’m doing this by moving on.”
A firm fan favourite, many fans are unsure that selling the Dutchman was the right move. Most would like to see the club acknowledge the man that single handedly won United the title in 2012/2013.
Destroyed by moyes, betrayed by LvG. LvG wanted to get the support of the English press, that is why he made rooney the captain, n snubbed Rvp. Wayne Rooney is da golden boy of the English media. They over hype him making him to be this great player when he is just a good player, nothing more!