Manchester United vs Fenerbahce: Robin van Persie risks infuriating Arsenal fans by saying he's returning 'home'

Van Persie spent eight years at Arsenal compared to three with United, but he says his return to Old Trafford on Thursday night will be a 'special occasion'

Robin van Persie claims returning to Old Trafford will be like going back 'home' (Getty)

Robin van Persie has risked infuriating Arsenal fans once again after he admitted his return to Manchester United on Thursday will be a “special occasion” because he will be back playing “at home”.

Van Persie left Arsenal in 2012 after eight years with the Gunners, moving to Premier League rivals United in a £24m transfer that did enough to damage his relationship with his former club’s supporters.

The fact that Van Persie went on to win the Premier League title at the first time of asking in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final year of management not only vindicated his decision, but angered Arsenal supporters further given they have not seen the title come to north London since 2004 – the season before Van Persie joined from Feyenoord.

The 33-year-old Dutchman returns to Old Trafford for the first time since leaving in 2015 as Fenerbahce take on United in the Europa League, but his suggestion that he is returning “home” will not sit well with the Arsenal fans that backed him for eight years as opposed to the three he spent at United.

In fact, Van Persie has already returned ‘home’ given that one of the other teams in Group A is Feyenoord, the Dutch club where Van Persie started his professional career back in 2001.

"It will be a special occasion and a special game for me," Van Persie told MUTV. "I know Manchester United want to be in the Champions League, but it is how it is now and for me it is a very special group in the Europa League. In the last match I had a game against one of my first teams, Feyenoord, and next it’s United. I am looking forward to it.

"I am now playing for Fenerbahce and I want to do well for my team but of course it will be special to play 'at home' [Old Trafford] in a great stadium with great fans against a great team.”

United head into the game as slight favourites, but the striker believes that the Turkish side can upset the odds deal a second blow to the Premier League side’s hopes of qualifying for the last-32, having already lost to Feyenoord.

"It will be tough for us. United are the favourites, but you never know what will happen,” Van Persie said. “In general I am looking forward to a nice evening and enjoying the whole experience."