Premier League: Robin van Persie deflated by Sir Alex Fergsuon departure as Manchester United boss

Robin van Persie admits the departure of Sir Alex Fergsuon as manager of Manchester United had a profound effect on his form.

The 31-year-old striker admitted one of the main reasons behind his decision to quit Arsenal for the North West was to work with the legendary manager.

We were once 18 points clear of City but we lost at home 2-1. We were still 15 points ahead but he was furious. Then I realised: he's a winner.

Van Persie, who signed for the Old Trafford club for a fee of £22.5million in 2012, was a Premier League winner in his first season scoring an impressive 35 goals in 53 appearances.

"My decision to come to Manchester was partly because of the presence of Ferguson, or excuse me, Sir Alex," Van Persie said. "And he told me he’d stay for another three years. I enjoyed his approach.

"We were once 18 points clear of City but we lost at home 2-1. We were still 15 points ahead but he was furious. Then I realised: he's a winner."

The Dutch ace has struggled to replicate the form he managed under Ferguson but remains positive that he can turn things around, despite the club making their worst start to a Premier League season ever.

"Three goals in nine games is not enough," he said. "Against Chelsea I had a nice chance and I had three options: chip it, go round the keeper or just [shoot] straight at the goal. I chose the last and safest. If I wouldn't have thought it over I would just chip it. I just have to trust again in my intuition."