.LONDON: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson landed Robin van Persie  this morning for £22m, reported The Sun.

And he promised him the chance to form a dream partnership at United with Wayne Rooney.

Van Persie will travel to Old Trafford today for a medical after agreeing terms of just over £200,000 a week. Ferguson hoped to complete the transfer before the big kick-off this weekend.

Van Persie, 29, who refused to sign a new deal at Arsenal, has been told he will be played at United as an out-and-out striker.

Rooney will operate in a free role behind him.

Ferguson had feared Manchester City could still land van Persie. City manager Roberto Mancini had insisted that the club were no longer in a position to secure him but United believed this was not the case.

Rooney was also delighted at the news and took to twitter to taunt celebrity Arsenal fan Piers Morgan.

He said: “Arrrr, poor Piers. what’s up now, big man?”

Morgan responded by calling Rooney “the No 2 striker at Old Trafford”.

United will pay £15m cash up front with the fee rising to a guaranteed £22m. But, depending on other add-ons, Arsenal could still land £24m.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: “It’s sad to lose a player of his quality. He had a year left on his deal so we didn’t have the choice.”

When asked if he would spend on new players, Wenger said: “We’ve already recruited to replace him.”

In a club statement, the Gunners said: “Van Persie will travel up to Manchester on Thursday so he can agree terms and complete a medical ahead of the proposed transfer.”

A spokesman for United said they were pleased to announce United had reached agreement with Arsenal for the transfer of van Persie.

United midfielder Tom Cleverley was told the news after playing in England’s 2-1 win against Italy in a friendly this morning..

  “He’s a great player — he can only make us strong,” said Cleverly.


- mD

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