07 August 2023 , 07:32
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Football players choose their shirt number for all sorts of reasons.
For some it is superstition or the number of their boyhood hero. For others it is the number they have worn since school or simply the only number that was left.
In his first six seasons at Arsenal, Robin van Persie had worn No.11 before switching to No.10 for his final two campaigns. But his three seasons at Old Trafford saw him wear a number he never donned at any other club and Rene Meulensteen came up with the idea for why it was perfect for his fellow Dutchman, as he explains in his book.
“Robin fit into our group easily," Meulensteen writes. "He was a top professional. There was no arrogance about him. He was a bit quiet at the beginning, but he seemed to love the intensity of our sessions from the start.
“After the first few sessions I was picking up some bibs and I heard the boss say to Robin that they needed to submit the squad list to the Premier League and Champions League, so he needed to select a number. There were two available – 20 and 21.
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“‘That’s quite easy, isn’t it?’ I interrupted. ‘It can only be 20. You’re here to win the league. If we do, it’s our 20th title. Carry that on your back and you will know what we’re playing for every week.’
“That was it – decision made.”
Where does Van Persie rank among United's best signings? Have your say in the comments section
Rene Meulensteen: United, Sir Alex And Me, published by Reach Sport for £18.99, is on sale August 10th from Amazon and all good book shops
Robin van Persie won the Premier League in his first Man Utd season (PA)Van Persie joined from Arsenal in 2012, shortly after the Red Devils were denied Premier League glory on the final weekend of the season. The Dutch international arrived as the Premier League's top scorer for the 2011-12 campaign, and repeated the trick under Sir Alex Ferguson.
He hit some 26 Premier League goals, including a sensational hat-trick against Aston Villa which clinched the title for United. Ferguson retired after that season, though, and title number 21 has yet to materialise.
Van Persie has been back to Old Trafford since retiring, though, and has seen some growth under compatriot Erik ten Hag. United recorded a top-four finish last term, clinching a Champions League return, and the former striker has already noticed changes.
"He said this Manchester United makes him really happy with the way they play, the energy, the intensity," Van Persie said. "I said it's nice to hear but that is like a sign - people are really happy to see Manchester United play.
"The whole energy around the club is so much more positive than it used to be in the last few years. So that is like, Erik earns credit for that, but the players as well. Everyone earns credit."
Rene Meulensteen: United, Sir Alex And Me, published by Reach Sport £18.99, is on sale August 10th from Amazon and all good book shops.