Robin van Persie played an instrumental role in Manchester United’s last league success during the 2012/13 season. He arrived at Old Trafford from Arsenal in the summer of 2012, with some controversy.
In his first press conference as a United player, Van Persie said: “I always listen to the little boy inside of me in these situations – when you have to make the harder decisions in life. What does he want? That boy was screaming for Man United.”
The Dutchman’s comments didn’t go down well with a large section of Arsenal supporters.
Van Persie, who retired from football at the end of last season, appeared on Sky Italia’s ‘The Lords of Football’ segment at the end of last week.
Regarding the “little boy” comment, the 36-year-old said: “Yes, maybe I should have chosen different words, I didn’t want to upset anyone, I was just trying to explain why I made that decision to win and to accept this challenge.”
In his debut season at Old Trafford, Van Persie had 26 goals and 15 assists in 38 league appearances.
“When it ends that way, when you go to the enemy’s side, you must try to do your best, be fit, there is nothing but trying to win. Failure to do so is a failure,” Van Persie stressed.
“When I realised that I had taken that step, I was extremely focused. I played 38 games and scored 26 goals, but all I did was train, go home, eat and sleep. I acted and lived like a machine. Just for that.
“It was my only goal. It was all about us winning. Being with likes of Rooney, Giggs, Carrick, Scholes, Ferguson… all this made it happen.”
