“It is special to have played under Wenger and Ferguson” – Robin van Persie

Manchester United striker, Robin van Persie, says it is a ‘special feeling’ to be one of the players to have worked under Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. Several other players have played for both clubs, but only the 29-year-old and Mikael Silvestre have featured under both managers.


The Holland international made the switch from the Emirates to Old Trafford this summer, after spending eight years at Arsenal.

“I have had special coaches all in their own way,” he told OnsOranje, the official fanclub of the Dutch FA. “(Bert) van Marwijk, Wenger, (Marco) van Basten, Ferguson. Piece by piece they are special.

“I think I have been (one of) the only players ever who has worked under Wenger and Ferguson. That’s special.”

Van Persie has already scored four goals for United, including a hat-trick against Southampton last weekend, despite missing a penalty. He remarked that it was a sign of his maturity as a player.

“A career won’t be always a bed of roses. You have disappointments,” he said. “Look at my missed penalty kick against Southampton last Sunday. That is what you call a disappointment.

“Taking a penalty kick in that way when you are 2-1 behind. That’s just bad.

“I couldn’t explain it, not even to myself. And what you do next? Do you stay disappointed? Or are you going to hunt, and get over it?

“In the game I put it behind me, thankfully. Many people can get swept up after something like that. It’s happened to me (before) and it’s all over then.

“Someone who is 18 years old wouldn’t score two times after it. I wouldn’t have done a couple of years ago.

“You have to be lucky, but you also have to force it.”