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Cape Town - With Robin van Persie's departure from Manchester United all but confirmed, his former colleague Rio Ferdinand has given his thoughts on the Dutch international.
The long-serving defender praised Van Persie's immediate impact on the Red Devils and also spoke of the striker's shock when Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement.
Van Persie's transfer to Fenerbahce is expected to be confirmed on Monday.
Rio Ferdinand's Facebook post:
"As I am posting this... it looks like my former team-mate Robin van Persieis joining Fenerbahçe.
The moment Sir Alex Ferguson told us in the changing room at Carrington that he was retiring, I looked to my left around 6 lockers where I saw a totally devastating looking RVP... he was shaking his head in shock, completely disheartened it seemed. Robin took it the worst out of the whole squad.
I, like many of the squad had been lucky enough to have played under Fergie for many years but Robin had just got to the club and part of his fairy-tale of joining was playing under Sir Alex.
We would travel to games together and he would talk about him & how he compared or was different to Wenger & ask loads of questions about the great man. He had found a place & a manager that completely got RVP - Ferguson knew RVP 's goals would get us the title back & so throughout the first 6months of the season he was drilling it home to the other players to get the ball into him or else! Imagine the confidence that would have been running through his veins after hearing his boss talk like that to a team he respected - about HIM and HIS importance to winning! And yes we went on to win the league that year and a large part of that was RVP's goals that got us there!
As a player he is so silky to watch, great touch, can hold the ball up & bring others into play, timings of his runs, skills & a dream of a left foot....oh and he can finish!
He was actually a better player than I thought he was when he arrived at Manchester United - I had played against him many times vs Arsenal
, so I knew he was good but not this good. Maybe that was because he was up against me and VIDA though!! On a serious note though, I think that was the general thought through the squad too.
"We'll done boss on bringing him here ??
"
The goal against Aston Villa FC will forever be remembered by Manchester United fans - the ball from Wayne Rooney....then the volley....oooofff stop it!!! Don’t get me started on the last minute winner away at Manchester City!!
Two players have left Manchester United this week for Fenerbahce – they both leave being a large part of the clubs recent success. Considering the prices being paid elsewhere, the club will deem both signings as a success.
Good luck Van Pizzle!!"
