Robin van Persie: 'Sir Alex Ferguson told me he would stay for three years'

Robin van Persie has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson told the Dutchman he would stay at Manchester United for three years, only to retire a year later.

The striker signed for the Red Devils in 2012, with his 26 goals helping them win their 20th league title and Ferguson's 13th.

Van Persie also revealed that his decision to leave Arsenal for United was because of Ferguson, and the Scot's retirement was hard for the forward to take.

"My decision to come to Manchester was partly because of the presence of Ferguson," Van Persie said, according to Goal.com.

"He told me he'd stay for another three years. I enjoyed his approach.

"We were once 18 points clear of City but we lost at home 2-1. We were still 15 points ahead but he was furious. Then I realised - he's a winner."

The Dutchman is still adapting to Louis van Gaal at club level, admitting that his current form isn't good enough, having scored just three goals in nine games.