Featured Image credit: PA Images
While his final two seasons at Manchester United may have been marred by injury and disagreements with management, Robin van Persie's inaugural campaign at Old Trafford was spectacular enough to excuse any inconsistencies that came afterwards.
Tonight will mark the Dutchman's first return to Old Trafford since departing for Fenerbahce, last year. His three years at Old Trafford was punctuated with a flurry of memorable strikes, from his home debut half volley against Fulham, to his opening day of the season brace against Swansea and the Champions League hat-trick against Olympiakos that kept David Moyes in a job for a few weeks longer.
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However, of all van Persie's 58 efforts in a United shirt, none will ever surpass the moment he fucking leathered a pin point, 60 yard Wayne Rooney pass, first time past Brad Guzman in the Aston Villa goal, en route to completing a hat-trick that would seal United's 20th league title, van Persie's first and Sir Alex Ferguson's last.
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The goal was reminiscent of Marco van Basten at his peak and has recently been voted as the best strike from any player with over 100 Premier League goals to their name. While it's arguable van Persie's almost horizontal volley against Charlton at the Valley in 2006 was a more impressive effort, it didn't win him a Premier League title and it didn't make Piers Morgan have a full blown wobbler of a meltdown, which is as good a reason as any to give the Villa goal the nod.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Aston Villa, Football, Manchester United, Robin van Persie, Premier League