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he little boy inside me told me to join Manchester United, insists Van Persie after £250,000-a-week deal to link with Rooney

He has signed a four-year contract worth an incredible £250,000 per week - the same terms handed to Wayne Rooney two years ago.

Speaking at his official unveiling press conference, he said: 'In these situations, when you have to make a hard decision in your life, I always listen to that little boy inside me. What does he want? That boy was screaming for Manchester United.

'Everyone knows me by now. I love football. I am quite principled in that perspective. It is always difficult to find the perfect match but I do feel this is the perfect match for me.

Fresh start: Robin van Persie poses with his No 20 shirt with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson

Signing on: Robin van Persie poses with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson

 'Manchester United breathes football. If you look at all the players from Manchester United, the stadium and manager, my choice was made very soon.'

Earlier, he said: 'It’s an honour to sign for Manchester United. I am looking forward to following in the footsteps of so many great strikers, bringing my experience and playing my part to help the team compete for the biggest trophies in the game. I can’t wait to get started.'

His new strike partner Rooney posted on Twitter: '@Persie_Official welcome to manchester united mate.'

Van Persie, who could now make his debut at Everton on Monday night, arrived at Manchester United's training ground on Friday morning to sign his new £12million-a-year contract.

The Dutch international underwent a medical in Manchester on Thursday night before spending the night in a Cheshire hotel.

A new hero: Van Persie signs autographs for fans outside Old Trafford

The 29-year-old was then taken to United's training ground at 9am to meet his new team-mates and sign the astonishing £250,000-a-week deal that will give him parity at the club with Rooney.

Van Persie then trained with his new club and is expected to go straight in to the team for the season's opener at Everton on Monday.

Deadly: Van Persie was all smiles alongside Wayne Rooney in Friday's training session

Changing times: Van Persie is paraded inside Old Trafford after sealing his £24m switch

'It has given everyone a lift,' said Ferguson. 'I have a complication to my life (selection). I don't know how I managed in 1999.

'They can gel together. Robin's best position is furthest up the pitch. The most important thing is to win what we want to win. These players can help us to do that.'

At the press conference, Ferguson added: 'We never thought we could get Van Persie. If you go back six months ago, I couldn't see us getting him.

'I thought Arsenal are not going to let him go. When I read he had refused a new contract, that is when we acted. It has been a long haul.'

Even so, it took a personal intervention from Ferguson to get the deal moving last week after it had apparently stalled permanently.

'I can't elaborate but it was amicable,' said the Scot. 'Arsene knew the boy wanted to leave. He knew he wanted to join us. That made it a bit easier but not in terms of trying to reduce the fee.

Pairing: Van Persie speaks at his Friday afternoon press conference as he sits next to Ferguson

Putting it all on red: Van Persie and Ferguson smile for the cameras at Old Trafford

'During his time with Arsenal, Van Persie made a total of 278 appearances for the Club, scoring 132 goals, including 37 from his 48 appearances last season.

'His fantastic performances during the 2011/12 campaign resulted in the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) and FWA (Football Writers’ Association) Player of the Year awards, together with the Premier League Golden Boot. 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2189744/Robin-van-Persie-Its-honour-join-Manchester-United.html#ixzz23q88ufyS