There was a time when Robin van Persie could do no wrong for Arsenal’s supporters.
Signing for the club in 2004 from Feyenoord, Gooners had watched the Dutchman evolve into one of the finest strikers on the planet during his eight years in north London – netting 37 goals in the 2011/2012 season.
Sadly, from an Arsenal point of view, this was to be his final season with the club.
A little boy living inside Van Persie urged him to make a move to Manchester United, where his goals fired them to the title in his first season in United red.
Following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, things were never quite the same for Van Persie at Old Trafford, or for United in general, and he was eventually allowed to move to Fenerbahce a year after Louis van Gaal had arrived.
With United now drawn with the Turkish club in the Europa League, the 33-year-old is preparing to return to Manchester for the first time since his departure.
Ahead of the match on Thursday, he has spoken to MUTV about the occasion, making it clear that despite making almost 200 more appearances for Arsenal (nearly 300 in total) than he did for United (105), he still regards Old Trafford as his home.
“It will be special for me. I know Manchester United want to be in the Champions League, but it is how it is now and for me it is a very special group in the Europa League. In the last match I had a game against one of my first teams, Feyenoord, and next it’s United. I am looking forward to it.
“I am now playing for Fenerbahce and I want to do well for my team but of course it will be special to play at home in a great stadium with great fans against a great team.”
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