He might be off to Turkey, but the attention on Robin van Persie has not decreased, with the Dutchman’s time at Old Trafford full of ups and downs after his big-money move from the Emirates Stadium in 2012. Van Persie successfully alienated many of the Arsenal fan-base by forcing a move out of the club and the ‘little boy inside’ got his wish when he lifted the Premier League trophy in 2013. Whether Van Persie has made the most of his time in England is open to discussion and, at just 31, a move to Fenerbahce is, perhaps, a tad premature.

The initial impact of RVP was as good as anyone at Old Trafford could have hope for, and his performances were rightfully rewarded with great acclaim. His 26 league goals carried the side to the title and gave Sir Alex Ferguson a well-deserved glorious send off. The greatest testament to Van Persie’s first season at United was the squad that he was a part of. Reliance on Van Persie was an issue, but his consistency helped the side to the big prize and covered cracks in a unit that was shown for what it truly was in the 2013/14 season under David Moyes.

The beginning of Moyes’ era, after the retirement of Ferguson, coincided with injuries and poor form for RVP, and greatly exposed a weak squad. Van Persie’s reported disappointment at Fergie’s retirement is one explanation for his drop in form and he never recovered during his time at United. A weak squad, which relied on Tom Cleverley, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia, looked flimsy under Moyes and Van Persie had little to no service during the season.

The second year of his time in Manchester was messy for their 'Flying Dutchman' (see the vine from his magical World Cup strike) on the whole, but it was thought that the arrival of Louis van Gaal would see a return to stardom. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t to be.

https://vine.co/v/OOapVHDpvPX

Radamel Falcao was a hindrance for Van Persie’s form as both the strikers looked to be occupying the same role and regular changes of system made it difficult for the Dutchman to stay motivated and settled. The height of his season was probably the last minute equaliser at home to Chelsea, but there was a nagging feeling throughout the campaign that Van Persie was thinking of a move away.

The side had little pace in the final third and this impacted Van Persie as much as anyone. His intelligent movement and link-up play was still there at times, but with no one to stretch the game, the attack was too easily blunted by opposition defences.

Ultimately, the disappointment of Ferguson’s retirement looks to have been the final nail in the coffin for Van Persie’s Manchester United career. The following arrival of Moyes must have been demoralising to a man who was hoping for a big name manager and his relationship with Van Gaal was, perhaps, not as strong as we were all led to believe last summer.

Whilst Moyes’ arrival may have been the tip of the iceberg, Van Persie’s one great season at the Theatre of Dreams will never be forgotten by fans of either Arsenal or United. For the money that was paid, one season of wonderful success is a let-down regardless of trophies claimed or circumstances at play. Injuries have plagued Van Persie’s career and a golden couple of years made his name, but really he will not be remembered as a club legend at either Arsenal or Manchester United, and he may well regret his decision to move.

Not to mention that Arsenal could well have won the league themselves had Van Persie stayed.

Van Persie’s brief stay at United is symbolic of Ferguson’s short-term planning towards the end of his reign, and one day the fans at Old Trafford may begin to question Fergie's motives in his final few years.