Robin van Persie Comments on Manchester United Exit Ahead of Fenerbahce Match

Robin van Persie has revealed that he could still be a Manchester United player had Sir Alex Ferguson not decided to retire in 2013, a year after the striker moved to Old Trafford.

The Dutchman left United for Fenerbahce in 2015 and will return to Old Trafford on Thursday with the Turkish outfit for the two sides' UEFA Europa League group-stage match.

Van Persie's debut season with the Red Devils—the club's 2012-13 Premier League-winning campaign—turned out to be Ferguson's last as United boss.

The former Arsenal forward admitted before Thursday's clash that he expected Ferguson to stay on for longer when he signed with United.

"We will never know. It could have been that I could have been a player for Manchester United today," the Dutchman said, per Press Association Sport (via ESPN FC). "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."

Sky Sports News HQ provided further footage of Van Persie's comments:

Van Persie spent eight years in the Premier League with Arsenal before making the move to United and winning his first career league title.

He made an immediate impact at Old Trafford and was arguably United's best player in their 2012-13 title-winning campaign as he netted 26 goals in 38 appearances, per WhoScored.com.

Per United's official Twitter feed, he scored some astonishing goals for the club:

However, under David Moyes, Ferguson's successor, in 2013-14, he played fewer matches—netting 12 goals in 21 league appearances—and he departed for Fenerbahce in July 2015 following a disappointing campaign in Louis van Gaal's first season in charge.

Injuries after his debut term in Manchester had an impact on Van Persie's form, and Van Gaal reportedly let him go as he thought he was on the decline, per Richard Tanner in the Express.

Now 33, Van Persie is drawing to the end of his excellent career, but he clearly believes there is a possibility he could still be at United had Ferguson stayed on.

Tom Jenkins/Getty Images

The legendary Scot has subsequently revealed that he would have remained in the managerial post at United past 2013 had it not been for the death of his wife Cathy's twin sister, Bridget Robertson, per the Daily Telegraph (h/t the Press Association, via MailOnline).

Ferguson said he "definitely would have carried on," and it could have been that he and Van Persie would both still be in their roles at Old Trafford now.

As it is, Van Persie will undoubtedly receive a warm welcome from the Old Trafford faithful as he lines up for Fener against a United side now managed by Jose Mourinho, the third boss the Red Devils have had since Ferguson's departure.