Van Persie explains departure from Man Utd

Robin van Persie says he might still be playing for Manchester United if Sir Alex Ferguson remained in charge.

The forward was signed by Ferguson in 2012 and was voted Player of the Year in his first season after scoring 31 goals in United's title-winning campaign.

But after Ferguson retired at the end of that season, Van Persie's form dipped and he left Old Trafford to join Fenerbahce in 2015.

Ahead of facing his former side on Thursday evening as Fenerbahce travel to United in the Europa League, he revealed how things might have turned out differently.

"We will never know. It could have been that I could have been a player for Manchester United today," he said.

"When I signed that was the idea, that Sir Alex would stay on for a few more years, but in football things change, you can't plan your own path or your coach's path. In this world you have to deal with how it comes."

Van Persie, who has scored 17 goals in 35 appearances for the Turkish side, says he is not dwelling on his decision ahead of his return to Old Trafford.

"What happened happened. I don't think you have to make it bigger than it is," he said. "You shake hands and move on to the next chapter.

"I'm not that romantic, thinking 'that was the moment'. I will just do my lap, go in and prepare."