No hard feelings against Man United, says Robin Van Persie

The Dutch striker left Old Trafford for Turkish outfit Fenerbache this week and van Persie’s former manager Wenger has announced his shock about the transfer before Arsenal’s Barclays Asia Trophy Final with Everton on Saturday.

Robin Van Persie has admitted that he could see his exit from Manchester United coming at his unveiling as a Fenerbahce player.

In an interview with “Daily Mail”, the French coach said: ” His departure was a big surprise to me, It is a huge loss for the English football.

He wrote: ‘After 11 great years in the Premier League, I have taken on a new challenge at Fenerbahce…Thank you to all the fans, who have supported me through the years…

An estimated 18,000 fans clad in the iconic navy blue and yellow stripes of Fenerbahce turned out at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul to witness Van Persie’s signing ceremony, chanting his name and lighting flares.

He hit 58 goals in 105 appearances for United, scoring 26 as they won the Premier League title in 2012-13 and Van Persie won the Golden boot.

Van Persie signed for the Gunners from Feyenoord in 2004.

United are not holding out for a significant fee for the 31-year-old.

Van Persie also hailed the role of United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward, who he said had dealt with his transfer to Fenerbahce in a “very classy way” and acted like a “true gentleman”.

“It’s the first time I have experienced something like that”.

Van Persie added that he “got used to the idea” of leaving United.

But even more importantly than that, he would not have been offloaded by Wenger after having a season dealing with injuries.

The fans thronged in large numbers and cheered for Van Persie, where he arrived at the party by playing keep-uppies with his son, Shaqueel.

Any prospective deal for the Paris Saint-Germain striker may involve Angel Di Maria going the other way as the French club want the Argentinian and Van Gaal is considering allowing him to go.