Manchester United transfer news: Louis van Gaal told Robin van Persie that his United career was over 'on the golf course'

Van Persie has sealed a move to Fenerbahce after being informed he was surplus to requirements at Old Trafford

Louis van Gaal and Robin van Persie in Manchester United training (Getty Images)

Robin van Persie was told by Louis van Gaal that his Manchester United career was over while playing golf on the club's official end-of-season golf day.

The United manager has developed a reputation for showing his ruthless streak when he feels it necessary, none more so than in the early hours of this morning when he revealed that Victor Valdes will be sold after failing to buy into his “philosophy” – something that Van Gaal made public in a press conference.

In the same press conference, Van Gaal addressed his decision to sell Van Persie to Turkish side Fenerbahce and how he broke the news to the striker that he had gone from first-choice striker to surplus to requirements in less than a year.

“I had the conversation at the end of the season, so he knew already what was coming,” Van Gaal said.

“I told him in a conversation with him and we have to keep it like that.”

However, Van Gaal went on to admit that the news was received by Van Persie during the club’s end-of-season golf day in May, when the squad took to Dunham Golf and Country Club on 12 May in the name of charity.

“He knew that from the day we played golf, we spoke about the prospects of him at United,” Van Gaal said, with Van Persie immediately aware that he should be on the look out for a new club.

The decision for Van Gaal was even harder given that Van Persie was the Netherlands captain at the 2014 World Cup where the head coach was none other than Van Gaal. With the two having a close relationship before Van Gaal began his reign at Old Trafford, it was expected that Dutch manager would look to the striker to take on the captain’s armband following the exit of Nemanja Vidic last summer.

However, Van Gaal decided to name Wayne Rooney skipper and Van Persie went on to endure a season hit by injury and poor form, culminating in him falling out of the first team after a return from injury and an eventual move away from the club.

While it was a difficult choice to let Van Persie leave, Van Gaal feels that the 31-year-old has chosen his new club smartly and believes that he can go on to have a successful career with the Turkish side.

“Every decision is difficult to sign and let them go,” Van Gaal explained.

Van Gaal told Van Persie he was no longer needed at United (Getty Images)

He added: “I think he did a very good choice.

“When I was (Netherlands) coach, I watched Fenerbahce because of (Dirk) Kuyt and I was always received in a very warm way.

“I think Robin will like it, to be in that warm club.

“I wish him all the best and I have also texted that to him.”

The warm feeling may not be replicated by Van Persie, who omitted Van Gaal from his farewell speech and instead credited United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.

Let me please add one more person to thank.

“I highly appreciate the work of Ed Woodward in this transfer. He was the man who was very classy in all this. A true gentleman. Ed, if you are listening or watching, thank you!”