Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he wished he had signed Robin van Persie for Manchester United when he first had the chance a decade ago.
Van Persie has made an incredible impact at United following his £24million move from Arsenal in the summer, scoring nine goals in 12 appearances, and now faces his old Gunners team-mates at Old Trafford in Saturday's lunch-time game.
But United boss Ferguson could have got the Dutchman back in 2001, when he dispatched one of his scouts to Holland to watch the teenage striker in action for Feyenoord.
Ferguson sent scout Jim Ryan to assess van Persie, who was red carded in the game, raising concerns about the young forward’s character, despite his obvious talent.
The United boss decided against signing van Persie as a result, and watched Arsenal land him in 2004 for what proved a bargain £2.75m.
Van Persie went on to prove the folly of Fergie’s rejection, plundering 96 goals in 194 appearances for the Londoners and emerge as one of the world’s finest strikers.
Ferguson finally landed the Gunners star after the 29-year-old refused to sign a new deal with Arsenal.
But the United manager has revealed a tinge of regret at not getting him all those years ago.
“Robin was only 16 or 17 at the time,” said Ferguson. “But our assessment of young players is always based on the potential you see in them.
“We sent Jim Ryan over to Feyenoord and Robin was actually sent off in the game. Jim said he was a fantastic talent, but felt that he was a little immature.
“At 16, we’re all immature, but we didn’t progress it, and then he went to Arsenal.
"I never thought we would get him, until he convinced us that he wouldn’t be signing a new contract at Arsenal.
“We just started working hard with Arsene Wenger and myself, I phoned him quite a few times, and we eventually came to an agreement.
“If Robin had more than one year left on his contract, we would never have got him.
“It was very amicable with Arsene. He made his case because, first of all, he wanted him to stay without contradiction.
“There’s no doubt about that and he worked hard to keep him. The next stage, once he accepted that he had to let him go, was to make sure we paid him the money.
“And Arsene has always done a phenomenal job getting top dollar for players.”
Van Persie has been a revelation at United - he also has three assists to go with those nine goals and has struck up an immediate rapport with Wayne Rooney.
Ferguson said the Dutchman’s flying start came as no surprise to him.
“Robin has settled in well, but he’s a mature player and his start to the season has been fantastic,” said Fergie. “I can’t say that he’s better than I thought he’d be, because that’s why we bought him. His goals tally last season was tremendous.
“Hopefully that continues here, because if you can get a couple of strikers who score 25 goals, you’re in the ball park to win something.
“Robin is a mature player and that helps – that experience he’s got of having played eight years in England.
“The fact he’s been playing in England makes it easier for him to jump to another English club.
“It’s been very satisfying for us, a fantastic start, and I just hope he keeps it going.”
Ferguson dismissed the notion that signing van Persie for £24m, given his age and injury problems up until last season, was any kind of gamble.
“There were different types of injuries,” said Ferguson. “He had an ankle injury, but I think last season proved that he is over that.
“He has more experience now and hopefully injuries aren’t a problem for me.”
Ferguson also dismissed the possibility that local rivals Manchester City, who also bid for van Persie, ever stood a chance of signing him.
“You’d need to ask the player that,” he said. “But I never put City in the equation. It was just about us trying to persuade Robin to come to us.”
Ferguson claimed van Persie will receive a positive reaction from fans of his former club, despite having left them after eight years in somewhat controversial circumstances.
“I think Arsene has laid the ground for his supporters in terms of respecting Robin,” said the United boss.
“And I think of all the former players who come back to Old Trafford, Arsenal’s players always get warm applause.
“I think the supporters will recognise the eight years he has given them.”
* MANCHESTER UNITED wideman Robbie Brady is wanted back at Hull on loan, after spending last season at the Championship club.
Probable teams
Manchester United De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Young; Rooney, van Persie
Arsenal Mannone; Sagna, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Santos; Cazorla, Arteta, Wilshere; Walcott, Podolski, Giroud
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