Sunday, September 2, 2012

HAIL Hat-trick hero Robin van Persie - the next Cantona?


Southampton 2 Manchester United 3: Hat-trick hero Robin finds a comic book finish


Perhaps Robin van Persie has been listening to the little boy in his mind again because this performance leapt from the pages of a comic book.
Deep in ‘Fergie Time’ at the end of the manager’s 1,000th league game in charge of Manchester United, up he popped — somehow free amid a crowd of red shirts — to glance Nani’s corner into the Southampton net.
With it, he completed a hat-trick, made amends for the penalty he fluffed with an attempted dink over goalkeeper Kelvin Davis and  probably escaped his first blast of the manager’s hairdryer.
Hat-trick hero: Robin van Persie celebrates his stoppage time winner
Hat-trick hero: Robin van Persie celebrates his stoppage time winner
Thump: Van Persie hits the first of his treble
Thump: Van Persie hits the first of his treble
Failed chip: Van Persie's cocky penalty was saved by Kevin Davis
Failed chip: Van Persie's cocky penalty was saved by Kevin Davis

Match facts

Southampton (4-5-1): K Davis 6; Clyne 6, Hooiveld 7, Fonte 7, Fox 6; Puncheon 7, (Mayuka 75min, 5) Schneiderlin 8, Ward-Prowse 6, S Davis 7, Lallana 7 (Rodriguez 79); Lambert 7 (Do Prado 75, 6). Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Lee, Richardson, Seaborne. 
Scorers: Lambert 16, Schneiderlin 55.
Booked: Hooiveld.
Manchester United (4-3-1-2): Lindegaard 6; Rafael 5, Ferdinand 6, Vidic 6, Evra 6; Valencia 6, Cleverley 5 (Scholes 61, 8) Carrick 6; Kagawa 5; (Nani 61, 6) Welbeck 6, (Hernandez 71, 7) Van Persie 9. Subs not used: De Gea, Evans, Giggs, Powell.
Scorer: Van Persie 24, 87, 90.
Man of the match: Robin van Persie.
Attendance: 31,609.
Referee: Mike Dean 7.
Van Persie also reached 100 Premier League goals — at a rate better than one every two games — on a ground where he was sent off on his last visit. He banished doubts that his sublime form in front of goal may somehow vanish in the move from the Emirates Stadium to Old Trafford.
More importantly (so they always say) he rescued three points for his team from a game they were losing with 87 minutes on the clock, helped them avoid a fourth defeat in five away games and kept them in touch with early pacesetters Chelsea. Victory enables Sir Alex Ferguson to enjoy the international break with a clear head to conjure with the best way to utilise the gifts of Van Persie, particularly when Wayne Rooney returns to fitness.
For Southampton, the script was painfully familiar after their demise at Manchester City on the opening day of the campaign when they led before being overpowered by the champions.
Nigel Adkins bubbled with pride, but there are no points to go with the satisfaction he can take from three games back in the top flight. Next up is Arsenal away and Saints must seek a way to add substance to their stylish passing football.
United were commanding at times yet vulnerable at others and  struggled to contain the threat of Rickie Lambert, even with Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in tandem for the first time this year.
Lambert opened the scoring in the 16th minute, drifting deep to maximise his height advantage and climb easily above Rafael to meet Jason Puncheon’s cross.
Can't believe his eyes: Sir Alex Ferguson's 1000th Premier League game in charge of United was not his easiest
Can't believe his eyes: Sir Alex Ferguson's 1000th Premier League game in charge of United was not his easiest
Riding high: Rickie Lambert leaps to head in Southampton's opener
Riding high: Rickie Lambert leaps to head in Southampton's opener
Puncheon and Adam Lallana made life uncomfortable for full backs Rafael and Patrice Evra, pressing them with great intensity high up the pitch, as Morgan  Schneiderlin proved a superb pivot for Southampton’s impressive midfield trio.
It was Schneiderlin, a French Under 21 star plucked at 18 from Strasbourg for £1.2million, who launched the move for the first goal, biting into a tackle to win the ball from Shinji Kagawa.
The ‘Lambert for England’ cries which rang around St Mary’s will not have escaped the attention of the watching Roy Hodgson.
Van Persie replied with what has become a trademark goal, taking the ball with perfect control on his chest and hitting a sweet volley with his left foot. Earlier, the Holland striker had cursed himself for  slicing a similar chance wide from a long pass by Michael Carrick.
This time it was Antonio Valencia who delivered the ball from wide on the right. Van Persie dropped behind right back Nathaniel Clyne, who slipped as he tried to recover, took a touch and finished.
Star man: Van Persie delights in his third goal
Star man: Van Persie delights in his third goal
South coast celebration: Saints players revel in taking the lead
South coast celebration: Saints players revel in taking the lead
The shot clipped the left knee of Kelvin Davis and flashed inside the post. Another back-post header restored Southampton’s lead and this time it was Schneiderlin who appeared late and finished from Lambert’s cross as Evra slipped.
Saints pushed on at a healthy tempo and the crowd crackled, detecting a famous win. Puncheon burst past Evra again and Anders Lindegaard, preferred in goal to David de Gea, saved at his near post. Lallana forced a save from  Lindegaard, was then denied by a terrific block by Evra and only a sliding interception by Ferdinand prevented James Ward-Prowse  tapping a Lambert cross into an empty net.
Ferguson made his own vital  contribution to the twisting plot on the hour, sending on Paul Scholes and Nani. Scholes seized control, settling into his zone just in front of the centre halves. He sprayed some eye-catching passes across the pitch, but equally important was the way he generated a quicker rhythm for United which had been missing until this point.
Goal getters: Schneiderlin and Lambert celebrate
Goal getters: Schneiderlin and Lambert celebrate
Annoyed: Van Persie reacts to his poor penalty
Annoyed: Van Persie reacts to his poor penalty
Nani helped United win the  penalty, pouncing on a poor pass from keeper Davis and feeding the ball into Van Persie’s feet. As the striker collected the pass, he was wiped out clumsily from behind by Jos Hooiveld and Mike Dean awarded the penalty.
Saints disputed the decision but Van Persie grabbed the ball, put it on the spot and tried a cheeky chip. It had worked for him last season against Wolves but Davis threw up his left hand and clawed it away.
Scheming: Nigel Adkins has got Saints playing some super football
Scheming: Nigel Adkins has got Saints playing some super football
Adkins replaced his front three in an effort to wrest control back from the visitors, but the momentum had swung and Ferguson sent on Javier Hernandez, who immediately flashed a header wide.
Van Persie levelled from close range after Ferdinand headed a Rafael cross against the post and snatched the winner with a header from a corner, won by Hernandez and taken by Nani.
He has four goals in two starts since his £24m transfer — having taken advice from the ‘little boy inside me’ — and he stood before United fans after the final whistle with the match-ball at his feet as they sang his name.

Day in the life of a deadly Dutchman

4.26pm: Chests down Antonio Valencia's cross and beats Kelvin Davis to make it 1-1, wiping out Rickie Lambert's early strike
4.26pm: Chests down Antonio Valencia's cross and beats Kelvin Davis to make it 1-1, wiping out Rickie Lambert's early strike
5.27pm: Clips a tame penalty, which Davis saves. United are 2-1 down at the time and the home fans mock him for his audacity. Bad move
5.27pm: Clips a tame penalty, which Davis saves. United are 2-1 down at the time and the home fans mock him for his audacity. Bad move
5.46pm: The seconds are ticking away by Van Persie seizes on the rebound after Rio Ferdinand's header comes back off a post and drills in left-footed. But that's not all, folks...
5.46pm: The seconds are ticking away by Van Persie seizes on the rebound after Rio Ferdinand's header comes back off a post and drills in left-footed. But that's not all, folks...
5.50pm: Two minutes into injury time, Nani's corner floats into the area. RVP's clever header rips past Davis to bag all three points. That's what you get for £24million.
5.50pm: Two minutes into injury time, Nani's corner floats into the area. RVP's clever header rips past Davis to bag all three points. That's what you get for £24million.
 


Thursday, August 16, 2012

Why losing your leader is no laughing matter


Why losing your leader is no laughing matter



If you’d have said a year ago that Robin van Persie would join Manchester United, I would have laughed.
Players have left for the lure of Barcelona and the riches of Manchester City but not United — not the team Arsenal have so long considered their rivals.
Seeing their captain and top goalscorer leave for Old Trafford will hurt the fans and Arsene Wenger. Van Persie was adored and cherished by those Arsenal supporters.
Hi there: Robin van Persie has walked out on Arsenal
Hi there: Robin van Persie has walked out on Arsenal
Here he is: Robin van Persie arrives for his medical
He was their leader, captain and top goalscorer. It seems every summer now Arsenal lose world-class players — they have become a donor to other clubs.
The Emirates was supposed to be the promised land but the club is losing players.
That is so hard for the fans because it’s difficult to retain any excitement.
It’s a long way from the fantasy football Manchester City have experienced in the transfer market in the past few years or how United will feel after signing Van Persie.
For the player, the chance to go to a fantastic club, maybe win some trophies and earn more money will have been tough to turn down.
It’s not something that would have happened a few years ago when the two clubs were huge rivals. Then it was very hard to leave Arsenal for a rival because we were so successful. When I left Arsenal, Tottenham briefly sounded me out but there was no way I could do that.
I wonder what having to sell Van Persie is doing to Wenger. He’s a hugely ambitious man, a great visionary and the last thing he wants to do is repeatedly sell his best players.
Wenger is proud of the economics of the club and won’t have wanted to lose Van Persie for nothing with his contract ending next summer. In that sense they got the best possible deal. But they would rather have the player.
The players left behind have been here before, seeing  Alexander Hleb, Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri leave.
They will have learnt from last summer about how to deal with losing team-mates.
Back then, they struggled early in the season because they were grieving. I’m confident they won’t this time around and will take responsibility.
Having said that, it will take another minor miracle from Wenger to get them into the top four again. But he is their glimmer of hope.
Keep your head down: Arsenal fans are furious with the man who was their captain
Keep your head down: Arsenal fans are furious with the man who was their captain
 


I've got a new Fab Four! £250k-a-week Van Persie fires up Fergie ahead of new season


I've got a new Fab Four! £250k-a-week Van Persie fires up Fergie ahead of new season




Sir Alex Ferguson has warned his rivals that he has assembled one of the most fearsome strikeforces in Europe as Manchester United tied up their £24million capture of Arsenal’s Robin van Persie.
The Dutchman is set to make his United debut in Monday’s Barclays Premier League opener at Everton after having a medical in Manchester on Thursday while his representatives negotiated personal terms in the region of £250,000 a week, or £12m a year, the same as Wayne Rooney.
Van Persie, 29, will now join forces at Old Trafford with Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck, who greeted his arrival on Thursday by promising ‘goals galore’ this season.
Fab fours: (top left-right) Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck and 1999 team (bottom left-right) Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke
Fab fours: (top left-right) Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck and 1999 team (bottom left-right) Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke
Ready for action: Van Persie arrives for his United medical
Ready for action: Van Persie arrives for his United medical
 
Add the creative spark of Shinji Kagawa and Ferguson believes he has an attack to rival the unstoppable combination of Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who fired United to a League, Champions League and FA Cup Treble in 1999.
Asked about pairing Rooney with Van Persie, Ferguson said: ‘They’re two  fantastic players and it’s great to have them both. What gives us even more strength are the combinations I have up front. If you go back to the 1999 season when I had Dwight and Andy, Teddy and Ole Gunnar, they were the four best strikers in Europe.
‘I think I’m getting towards that now. I’ve got Chicharito, Wayne, Robin, Danny Welbeck and Kagawa. It’s a fantastic collection of players — hopefully I pick the right  combinations. It’s great to have a player of Van Persie’s quality come into the squad.
‘The fee has been agreed and we’re delighted with that, of course. Obviously we hope that his medical goes according to plan. Sometimes medicals take a bit longer but I’m sure he’ll be available for Monday’s game.’
Here I am: Van Persie will strike fear into the heart of Manchester City
Here I am: Van Persie will strike fear into the heart of Manchester City
Launch: Sir Alex Ferguson was speaking at the club's link-up with sponsor bwin
Launch: Sir Alex Ferguson was speaking at the club's link-up with sponsor bwin
Knowing that Van Persie had only 12 months left on his contract, Arsenal finally relented in their fight to stop the striker from joining United and accepted an improved offer on Wednesday.

TOM CLEVERLEY ON RVP

He just adds to our goalscoring ability with Wellbeck, Rooney, Hernandez, Berbatov. I've admired him at Arsenal, he is a world class player, a goalscorer and is proven in the Premier League. All those three things will help us. I think Rooney and Van Persie were the top goalscorers in the Premier League last season and hopefully they can score as many this year.
The arrival of last season’s Premier League top scorer threatens Welbeck’s starting spot alongside Rooney, but the young England striker echoed his manager by insisting United will benefit from the competition for places.
‘It’s going to be shared out and hopefully once you’re out there it’s goals galore for Manchester United,’ said Welbeck.
‘He’s a player with great ability and a world-class striker. He can score goals and create goals as well. They’re the type of players who win you titles.
‘It’s given the club a massive boost, everyone is delighted to have him. I’m really looking forward to playing with him.
‘It’s good to have competition. At United there’s no time to sit back anyway. You never get time to rest on your laurels. You’ve always got to work hard because there are always things to improve on.
On the move: Bookmakers Coral were quick to set up this stunt outside the Emirates
On the move: Bookmakers Coral were quick to set up this stunt outside the Emirates
United front: Ferguson has finally got his man by agreeing a deal for Robin van Persie
United front: Ferguson has finally got his man by agreeing a deal for Robin van Persie

WELBECK ON SQUAD ROTATION

Once the season gets under way the manager will be good with squad rotation. It's a good problem for him to have. He's got a good variety of strikers to use and hopefully he picks the right team and we can win as many titles as possible.
‘I think once the season gets underway the manager will be good with squad rotation. But it’s a good problem for him to have.’
Welbeck also welcomed Ferguson’s comparison to the team of ’99. Asked if the four strikers are all capable of making their mark, he said: ‘Yes, definitely. We’ve got a good variety of strikers and we’re all capable of scoring goals.
‘I was a massive United fan and watched that whole season all the way through. Cole, Yorke, Sheringham, Solskjaer — that was a great strikeforce.
‘Being at United you learn to play with different types of strikers and players. Once we get training together I think everyone will be gelling perfectly.’
Final hurdle: The protracted deal could soon be concluded if the Gunners accept the offer for their captain
Final hurdle: The protracted deal could soon be concluded if the Gunners accept the offer for their captain
Final hurdle: The protracted deal will, Ferguson hopes, be concluded in time for RVP to face Everton
Concern had been growing in the United camp during pre-season that their strikers have lacked sharpness in front of goal. But sources said that the mood had been transformed by Van Persie’s imminent arrival.
And Rio Ferdinand believes that Van Persie, who scored 37 goals last season, will not disappoint.
‘There have been many players who have come to Manchester United and not met expectations,’ he said. ‘Expectations here are higher than anywhere in the world — some do brilliantly and some don’t fare quite so well. I’ve got no worries about Robin, though. He’s a very good professional.
Talisman: Van Persie bagged the vast majority of Arsenal's goals last season
Talisman: Van Persie bagged the vast majority of Arsenal's goals last season
'I know his main aim won’t be a selfish one — it will be all about winning trophies. And if he can score goals like he did last year then we’ll all be smiling come the end of the season.
‘We’re bringing a big name into an environment that already has a lot of big names, especially in the forward department, so it’s definitely going to shake things up. But it’s going to be great for the squad.’
Michael Carrick, who was on duty with England on Wednesday, also commented on the deal. 
He said: 'Someone mentioned in the dressing room about Van Persie and if it goes through, it will be brilliant. He had a terrific season and he will further strengthen our squad. It is a great boost going into the new season.
'He is a world class player and we have always been about bringing in players of that ability.
'Can it make the difference between second and first? There wasn't much difference so hopefully we can go that step further! But the club has always had strength in depth and it is about the squad and not the 11 on the pitch.'
 


RVP


Van Persie arrives at hospital to undergo medical as United transfer nears completion


 
Robin van Persie arrived at Bridgewater Hospital on Thursday night to undergo a medical ahead of his long-awaited move to Manchester United.
The 29-year-old's signing is expected to be announced on Friday morning from Arsenal for a reported fee of £24million, before the 12pm registration deadline for the weekend's Barclays Premier League games.
United fought off competition from Manchester City and Juventus to bring the Dutch striker to Old Trafford and hope he will be able to feature against Everton on Monday.
All smiles: Robin van Persie has arrived at Bridgewater Hospital to undergo his Manchester United medical
All smiles: Robin van Persie has arrived at Bridgewater Hospital to undergo his Manchester United medical
All smiles: Robin van Persie has arrived at Bridgewater Hospital to undergo his Manchester United medical
All smiles: Robin van Persie has arrived at Bridgewater Hospital to undergo his Manchester United medical
 
Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed United will possess arguably Europe's most fearsome strike force when van Persie arrives.
Ferguson has spoken about the new-look attacking options of Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez, and the comparisons with the 1999 set of Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Speaking at a press conference, Ferguson said: 'They (Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie) are two fantastic players and it will be great to have both of them. It gives us more strength and more combinations up front.
'In 1999 I had Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the four best strikers in Europe.
Let's go: Robin van Persie was filmed arriving at St Pancras off the Eurostar
Let's go: Robin van Persie was filmed arriving at St Pancras off the Eurostar
'We are going towards that now with Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney, Robin, Danny Welbeck and Shinji Kagawa.
It is a fantastic collection of players and hopefully I pick the right combinations It is great to have a player of Robin van Persie's qualities to come into the squad. I am very pleased.'
Even one of the players whose place is threatened expressed his delight, with Welbeck keen to welcome Van Persie into the United fold.
'It is a massive boost to the club if Robin van Persie joins us,' he said. 'I am really looking forward to playing with him.
United front: Van Persie made it clear he would not sign a new deal at Arsenal
United front: Van Persie made it clear he would not sign a new deal at Arsenal
'His agent is in discussions with (United chief executive) David Gill right about now. We hope all the things will be tied up, although sometimes medicals do take a bit longer. I am sure he will be available for Monday's game.'
Arsene Wenger has admitted that Arsenal were powerless to stop Robin van Persie signing for Manchester United.
Wenger has the best part of two weeks to spend some of the money before the transfer window is closed. He said on French TV on Wednesday night: ‘It’s sad to lose a player of his quality. He had only one year left on his contract so we didn’t have the choice.’
Asked who he would recruit, Wenger said: 'We already signed Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.'
Final hurdle: Sir Alex Ferguson has been busy in the transfer market this summer
Final hurdle: Sir Alex Ferguson has been busy in the transfer market this summer
Van Persie is the first Arsenal player to join United since Viv Anderson in 1987 and the move has riled Gunners fans, who took to Twitter to abuse him.
United are understood to have agreed a £15m downpayment for last season’s Footballer of the Year and Players’ Player — who scored 30 Premier League goals for last season. That will rise to £24m depending on appearances. Van Persie is expected to sign a four-year contract worth over £200,000 a week.
A statement on United’s website said: ‘Manchester United is pleased to announce it has reached agreement with Arsenal for the transfer of Robin van Persie. The deal is subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms.’
In signing Van Persie, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has laid down a clear marker ahead of the new season. It is the first time the club have paid  for a big name since Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham for £30.75m in 2008.
Having decided two or three years ago they would not sign players over the age of 27, United have signified just how far they are prepared to go to wrest the title back from City.
Talisman: Van Persie bagged the vast majority of Arsenal's goals last season
Talisman: Van Persie bagged the vast majority of Arsenal's goals last season



Van Persie arrives at hospital to undergo medical as United transfer nears completion

The 29-year-old's signing is expected to be announced on Friday morning from Arsenal for a reported fee of £24million, before the 12pm registration deadline for the weekend's Barclays Premier League games.
United fought off competition from Manchester City and Juventus to bring the Dutch striker to Old Trafford and hope he will be able to feature against Everton on Monday.
All smiles: Robin van Persie has arrived at Bridgewater Hospital to undergo his Manchester United medical
All smiles: Robin van Persie has arrived at Bridgewater Hospital to undergo his Manchester United medical
All smiles: Robin van Persie has arrived at Bridgewater Hospital to undergo his Manchester United medical
All smiles: Robin van Persie has arrived at Bridgewater Hospital to undergo his Manchester United medical
 
Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed United will possess arguably Europe's most fearsome strike force when van Persie arrives.
Ferguson has spoken about the new-look attacking options of Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez, and the comparisons with the 1999 set of Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Speaking at a press conference, Ferguson said: 'They (Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie) are two fantastic players and it will be great to have both of them. It gives us more strength and more combinations up front.
'In 1999 I had Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the four best strikers in Europe.
Let's go: Robin van Persie was filmed arriving at St Pancras off the Eurostar
Let's go: Robin van Persie was filmed arriving at St Pancras off the Eurostar
'We are going towards that now with Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney, Robin, Danny Welbeck and Shinji Kagawa.
It is a fantastic collection of players and hopefully I pick the right combinations It is great to have a player of Robin van Persie's qualities to come into the squad. I am very pleased.'
Even one of the players whose place is threatened expressed his delight, with Welbeck keen to welcome Van Persie into the United fold.
'It is a massive boost to the club if Robin van Persie joins us,' he said. 'I am really looking forward to playing with him.
United front: Van Persie made it clear he would not sign a new deal at Arsenal
United front: Van Persie made it clear he would not sign a new deal at Arsenal
'His agent is in discussions with (United chief executive) David Gill right about now. We hope all the things will be tied up, although sometimes medicals do take a bit longer. I am sure he will be available for Monday's game.'
Arsene Wenger has admitted that Arsenal were powerless to stop Robin van Persie signing for Manchester United.
Wenger has the best part of two weeks to spend some of the money before the transfer window is closed. He said on French TV on Wednesday night: ‘It’s sad to lose a player of his quality. He had only one year left on his contract so we didn’t have the choice.’
Asked who he would recruit, Wenger said: 'We already signed Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.'
Final hurdle: Sir Alex Ferguson has been busy in the transfer market this summer
Final hurdle: Sir Alex Ferguson has been busy in the transfer market this summer
Van Persie is the first Arsenal player to join United since Viv Anderson in 1987 and the move has riled Gunners fans, who took to Twitter to abuse him.
United are understood to have agreed a £15m downpayment for last season’s Footballer of the Year and Players’ Player — who scored 30 Premier League goals for last season. That will rise to £24m depending on appearances. Van Persie is expected to sign a four-year contract worth over £200,000 a week.
A statement on United’s website said: ‘Manchester United is pleased to announce it has reached agreement with Arsenal for the transfer of Robin van Persie. The deal is subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms.’
In signing Van Persie, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has laid down a clear marker ahead of the new season. It is the first time the club have paid  for a big name since Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham for £30.75m in 2008.
Having decided two or three years ago they would not sign players over the age of 27, United have signified just how far they are prepared to go to wrest the title back from City.
Talisman: Van Persie bagged the vast majority of Arsenal's goals last season
Talisman: Van Persie bagged the vast majority of Arsenal's goals last season


Wednesday, August 15, 2012


Robin van Persie: Man Utd agree £24m deal with Arsenal for striker

Manchester United have agreed a £24m deal to sign Arsenal striker Robin van Persie on a four-year contract.
The 29-year-old will meet with United in the next 48 hours to discuss personal terms and have a medical.
Arsenal captain Van Persie announced in July he would not extend his current deal, which expires in June 2013.
"Manchester United is pleased to announce it has reached agreement for the transfer of Robin Van Persie," the club said in a statement. 
"The deal is subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms. A further announcement will be made in due course."

Arsenal careerThe Netherlands international, who scored 44 goals in 57 games for club and country last season, maintained he would not discuss his future until after Arsenal's final match at West Brom on 12 May.

Wenger and Van Persie disagreed on their vision for the club, transfer activity and the team's performance in the 2011-12 campaign.
No contract was discussed and Van Persie joined the Dutch squad on 17 May to begin their preparations for Euro 2012.
He announced he would not be extending his contract on 4 July and returned to training on 17 July, the same week he was the subject of bids from United, Manchester City and Juventus.
All three offers fell short of Arsenal's valuation - they were reluctant to enter formal negotiations until a bid exceeded £20m, and hoped to hold out for £25-30m.
United, City and Juventus increased their offers but, of the three, United were the only side Van Persie would consider joining.

Past transfer d

But Wenger pulled him aside shortly before Sunday's friendly victory over Cologne,  told him he would be sold if a deal could be reached and informed the Dutchman he was no longer part of his plans.
Formal discussions between Arsenal and United began immediately, with Gazidis and United chief executive David Gill agreeing a fee of £22.5m on Tuesday, only for it to be vetoed by Wenger as he held out for £25m.
On Wednesday morning, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson called Wenger to offer £23m and Wenger quoted him £24m.
But a compromise was finally reached on Wednesday evening and Van Persie will travel to Manchester on Thursday to discuss terms and begin his medical.
Van Persie was named Professional Footballers' Association and Football Writers' player of the year but scored only once as the Netherlands were eliminated at the group stage of Euro 2012.

Red Van Man


Red Van Man! Fergie finally seals £24m deal for Gunners captain RVP

 
Fantasy football 2012
Manchester United sealed the signing of the summer on Wednesday night when Arsenal agreed to sell Robin van Persie to their Barclays Premier League rivals for £24million.
After weeks of negotiating with Arsenal and the Holland striker, United have beaten Manchester City and Juventus to Van Persie’s signature and the 29-year-old will have a medical at Old Trafford on Thursday. 
United front: Sir Alex Ferguson has finally got his man by agreeing a deal for Robin van Persie
United front: Sir Alex Ferguson has finally got his man by agreeing a deal for Robin van Persie
 
Van Persie is the first Arsenal player to join United since Viv Anderson in 1987 and the move has riled Gunners fans, who took to Twitter to abuse him.
United are understood to have agreed a £15m downpayment for last season’s Footballer of the Year and Players’ Player — who scored 30 Premier League goals for last season. That will rise to £24m depending on appearances. Van Persie is expected to sign a four-year contract worth over £200,000 a week.
A statement on United’s website said: ‘Manchester United is pleased to announce it has reached agreement with Arsenal for the transfer of Robin van Persie. The deal is subject to a medical and the agreement of personal terms.’
In signing Van Persie, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has laid down a clear marker ahead of the new season. It is the first time the club have paid  for a big name since Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham for £30.75m in 2008.
Having decided two or three years ago they would not sign players over the age of 27, United have signified just how far they are prepared to go to wrest the title back from City.
Final hurdle: The protracted deal could soon be concluded if the Gunners accept the offer for their captain
Final hurdle: The protracted deal could soon be concluded if the Gunners accept the offer for their captain
Final hurdle: The protracted deal will be concluded when Van Persie has a medical on Thursday
City manager Roberto Mancini will be particularly irritated that United have been allowed to steal his top target from under his nose, and this will test his strained relationship with the club’s football administrator Brian Marwood still further.
Van Persie was on Wednesday night with Holland, who lost a friendly 4-2 to Belgium. He is expected to fly to Manchester early on Thursday morning.
His departure will leave Arsenal fans angry that yet another of their star players has decided to depart in search of an improved salary and better prospects for  winning major honours.
Van Persie follows Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas, who left a year ago, although the club recovered from a poor start — including an 8-2 demolition by United at Old Trafford — to finish third.
Manager Arsene Wenger has the best part of two weeks to spend some of the money before the transfer window is closed. He said on French TV on Wednesday night: ‘It’s sad to lose a player of his quality. He had only one year left on his contract so we didn’t have the choice.’
Asked who he would recruit, Wenger said: 'We already signed Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.' 
Talisman: Van Persie bagged the vast majority of Arsenal's goals last season
Talisman: Van Persie bagged the vast majority of Arsenal's goals last season
Michael Carrick, who was on duty with England on Wednesday, was first to comment on the deal. 
He said: 'Someone mentioned in the dressing room about Van Persie and if it goes through, it will be brilliant. He had a terrific season and he will further strengthen our squad. It is a great boost going into the new season.
'He is a world class player and we have always been about bringing in players of that ability.
'Can it make the difference between second and first? There wasn't much difference so hopefully we can go that step further! But the club has always had strength in depth and it is about the squad and not the 11 on the pitch.'