Robin van Persie‘s 2012 transfer from Arsenal to Manchester United remains one of the most controversial moves in recent Premier League history.
In the summer of 2012, Manchester United were in desperate need of a striker.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side had failed to retain the title, having missed out on the final day against bitter rivals Manchester City, who won their first Premier League trophy at the death against Queens Park Rangers.
The Red Devils lacked a potent goal scorer like City had in Sergio Aguero and, honestly, had failed to replace the goals of Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo three years earlier.
Ferguson knew that to challenge for the title again, he needed someone who could consistently deliver in front of goal.
That’s when Van Persie, Arsenal’s star player, became the ideal target.
It was a stroke of genius from the Scot ahead of what would prove to be his final season at Old Trafford, and United have struggled to find consistency, even in the decade since his departure.
Indeed, by the time the Red Devils face Arsenal this season, Ruben Amorim will have been the sixth full-time manager looking to best the Gunners. While the table suggests Mikel Arteta’s side are favourites, the Arsenal vs. Man United odds are always unpredictable, and the rivalry remains tense.
That said, the stakes were even higher back in 2012 when Van Persie made his move to Manchester.
The Dutchman’s decision to stay in the Premier League, turning down interest from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, only added weight to the controversy surrounding his transfer.
Van Persie, who enjoyed a stellar final season at Arsenal, opted for the move to United and helped them win their 20th Premier League title.
His choice cemented his place as one of English football’s most talented strikers and made him a key figure for United as the missing piece of the puzzle.
At Arsenal, Van Persie had been the focal point of their attack for several seasons.
Still, the Gunners could not compete for the biggest trophies, and their leaky defence made them unreliable when making a football bet.
The transfer to United would give Van Persie the chance to finally win the Premier League, as he won the Golden Boot after scoring 26 goals.
His contributions were instrumental in United securing a record number of league medals for English clubs —a fitting conclusion to Ferguson’s final championship season before his retirement.
This move, however, was always going to be bittersweet for Arsenal fans.
Van Persie’s departure to a direct rival left many feeling betrayed, especially considering his importance to the team.
But Van Persie’s response was clinical as he scored against his old team just three minutes into their 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
The striker’s return to the Emirates in 2013 was charged with emotion, with the home fans voicing their displeasure as Arsene Wenger’s side gave United a guard of honour.
Ultimately, Van Persie’s time at United was a success.
In his debut season, he helped secure the Premier League title, a remarkable achievement for both him and Ferguson.
Though controversial, his move to Old Trafford proved to be a turning point for both clubs. Van Persie suffered a challenge a few seasons later before a move to Fenerbahce in 2015.
