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Wayne Rooney and Ian Wright in full agreement about ‘brilliant’ Robin van Persie in Premier League rankings

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Wayne Rooney and Ian Wright both saw eye to eye on the impact of former striker Robin van Persie leaving Arsenal and signing for Manchester United in 2012.

Sir Alex Ferguson had watched Manchester United fall short to Manchester City in the Premier League title race on the final day of the 2011-12 campaign.

The iconic former United manager sent a statement of intent in the 2012 transfer window after the Red Devils landed Robin van Persie from fierce rivals Arsenal.

Van Persie had no intention of signing a new contract with the Gunners at the time and Arsenal reluctantly sanctioned a transfer deal to United worth £24m.

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Sir Alex Ferguson hugs Robin van Persie at the trophy presentation after the Manchester United vs Swansea City Premier League match, the final home match for Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager, at Old Trafford in 2013 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Tom Jenkins/Getty Images

Wayne Rooney’s famous overhead kick for Man Utd vs Man City at Old Trafford… 🥷🦵

Wayne Rooney and Ian Wright think Man Utd landing Robin van Persie is one of the Premier League’s biggest signings ever

Manchester United paid an initial £22.5m transfer fee and agreed to a £1.5m add-on to sign former Arsenal star Robin van Persie ahead of Manchester City at the time.

Wayne Rooney played alongside Van Persie in the Man Utd attack in the 2012-13 Premier League season and witnessed first-hand the Dutchman’s sensational impact.

Speaking on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, the 40-year-old former Man Utd and England striker and Ian Wright both felt the same way about Van Persie.

“Van Persie, maybe. I still see that [as a big Premier League signing],” Rooney said.

Wright added: “Van Persie, because that one really harmed him.”

The 62-year-old Arsenal legend continued: “I think… With Robin going to United and just absolutely… Just setting a place alight, man. He was brilliant that year.”

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Teenage Wayne Rooney’s insane volley for Man Utd against Newcastle! 🎯💥

Wayne Rooney and Ian Wright rank Robin van Persie’s move to Man Utd at No 3 in the Premier League’s massive signings

Van Persie netted a stunning 26 times in 38 Premier League matches in the 2012-13 season, with the 42-year-old firing his side to the title under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Responding to Rooney and Wright, Gary Neville asked: “Third one [biggest Premier League signings]. Robin?”

Both Rooney and Wright felt that former Man Utd and Arsenal striker Van Persie could not be overlooked and ranked him as the third biggest signing in the league.

“Robin, yeah [at No 3],” Wright said in response to Gary Neville.

Van Persie lifted the Premier League title in his debut season at Old Trafford before Red Devils legend Ferguson finally retired as Man Utd manager in 2013.