ROBIN van Persie says he might still be playing for Manchester United if Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge.

The Dutch forward made a goalscoring return to Old Trafford in Feberbahce’s 4-1 Europa League defeat to the Red Devils, with a double from world record signing Paul Pogba and goals from Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard sealing the points for Jose Mourinho’s side.

After scoring the final goal of the match, Van Persie received a standing ovation from the crowd, including from Ferguson, who was sat next to former England manager Sam Allardyce.

Van Persie was signed by Ferguson in 2012 and was voted Player of the Year in his first season after scoring 31 goals in United’s title-winning 2012-13 campaign.

But, after Ferguson retired at the end of that season, Van Persie’s form dipped and he left Old Trafford to join Fenerbahce in 2015.

On facing his former side, Van Persie revealed how things might have turned out differently.

“We will never know. It could have been that I could have been a player for Manchester United today,” he said.

“When I signed that was the idea, that Sir Alex would stay on for a few more years, but in football things change, you can’t plan your own path or your coach’s path.

“In this world you have to deal with how it comes.”

Van Persie, who has scored 17 goals in 35 appearances for the Turkish side, says he has not dwelled on the decision to leave Old Trafford.

“What happened happened. I don’t think you have to make it bigger than it is,” he said. “You shake hands and move on to the next chapter.

“I’m not that romantic, thinking ‘that was the moment’.”

“I have to find the right balance of having fun, enjoying the moment of being back here and doing my work.