Source: team_talk
Van Persie reveals title relief
Robin van Persie has spoken of his relief after winning the Barclays Premier League title with Manchester United.
The Dutchman had just an FA Cup winner's medal to his name when he moved to Old Trafford from Arsenal last summer but has scored 24 league goals this season to help fire Sir Alex Ferguson's men to a 20th crown.
And the 29-year-old, who also won the UEFA Cup with Feyenoord before coming to England, admits the season has been a dream come true.
He told The Sun Sunday: "I've waited a very long time for this. It's what every professional dreams might happen one day.
"That's why I sacrificed so much to come here. I chased a dream and I'm so happy the dream has now been fulfilled. I still can't believe it, it's just an incredible feeling.
"It is also a massive relief after all this time to be lucky enough to win a title in one of the hardest leagues in the world."
He added: "My move to Manchester United was all about timing. We met each other at exactly the right time. They were so eager to win the Premier League title back.
"And I was so eager to win the title for the first time."
At 29, Van Persie is in the prime of his career and he admits that he is eager to add to his trophy cabinet while he is still at his best.
"Quite simply, I now want to win as much as possible," he added.
"Now I've won one big prize I'm even more eager to win more, even more eager to win it all.
"Next season I have the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Capital One Cup, Community Shield and, of course, the World Cup to focus on."
United have been linked with moves for a host of strikers this summer to supplement Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck.
But Van Persie does not see that as a threat to his place and believes a bigger squad can help him achieve his ambitions with the club.
"The more quality players we bring the better," he said. "And even more fun.
"I trust (Ferguson's) judgement. The manager knows what is good for the team."
Van Persie's signing raised eyebrows in the summer as it has been rare for Ferguson to spend big on players in their late-20s but the Scot's assistant Mike Phelan has hailed his impact this season.
"Robin has been a great addition to Manchester United Football Club," he told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme.
"We knew what we were signing when we brought him to the club.
"He's come in with an expectation of achieving something and that's important when you come to Manchester United.
"You've got to want to win, you've got to want to develop even more than where you are at the moment and I think Robin has taken on another part of his game.
"He does study the game but so do other players and Robin has achieved something that he's tried to achieve for numerous years and we're pleased to have him with us."
He added: "We all know what his talent is and he's brought that to us.
"We knew he could score many goals, we knew he had the quality to entertain a crowd and there's no better crowd and no better stadium to do that in than Old Trafford.
"I think everybody has reacted to him within the club. The supporters have enjoyed his highs.
"He had a spell during the season when he was a little bit barren but he kept going and we kept playing him and his quality has shown through."
