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From Vidic to Giggs, Van Persie picks out 5 team-mates who impressed him most

  /  autty

Robin van Persie worked with some incredible talents during his three years at Old Trafford but the Dutchman has now picked out five team-mates who impressed him most at Manchester United.

Van Persie was reluctant to choose the 'best' player from such a talented group and instead selected a core of regular starters who, when paired together, became a title-winning side.

Defensive partners Nemanja Vidic, who Van Persie hailed as a 'warrior', and Rio Ferdinand were highlighted as the bedrock of United's success by the former Red Devils striker.

'It's hard to answer, because most of them were impressive,' Van Persie told SoFoot.

'Vidic was a warrior, he put his head where normally it's creepy to set foot. He did anything to win. Ferdinand, he was more 'elegant', comfortable with the ball, strong in aerial play, good in long play.'

While Vidic and Ferdinand, who both left the club with a combined 21 honours, the height of which was the 2008 Champions League title, Van Persie highlighted Patrice Evra, Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs as three other players that impressed him after he swapped Arsenal for United in 2012.

'Giggs was the flamboyant player, always giving the impression of being in his comfort zone,' he added.  'Still in great shape at 39! He did yoga, lived football all the time.

'Patrice Evra, impressive in this habit of speaking loudly, to provoke, to instill confidence in the team. Today, I know he makes 'funny' videos, but don't believe he is not a super professional and a super intelligent guy.

'He speaks five languages, he even speaks Korean! His physical appearance shows how professional he is, his mind is as strong as his body.'

Rooney,  who played alongside Van Persie in attack, was said to be 'impressive in his own style' as the Dutchman reflected on his successful tenure at Old Trafford.

Van Persie's £22.5million move from London to Manchester was a major statement from Sir Alex Ferguson and it proved a masterstroke from the wily Scot.

He went on to play in every Premier League match in the 2012-13 season, finishing the campaign with 26 goals and playing a key role in United winning the title, the 13th of Ferguson's reign at Old Trafford.

Van Persie left the club in 2015 having found it tough once Ferguson stepped down and was replaced by David Moyes.

He has since gone on to spend three seasons in Turkey with Fenerbahce before returning to Holland to play for Feyenoord before retiring in May 2019 after a 2-0 loss to ADO Den Haag.