Top 10: Robin van Persie’s Manchester United career in pictures

The Dutchman returns to Old Trafford on Thursday night. That’s right, former Manchester United striker Robin van Persie is set to start against his former colleagues as Fenerbahce visit The Theatre of Dreams in the UEFA Europa League.

The 33-year-old, who won one Premier League title during his spell with United between 2012 and 2015, left for the Turkish giants in July 2015 for a fee thought to be under £4m.

Van Persie, who scored an impressive 58 goals in 108 appearances for the Red Devils following his transfer from Premier League rivals Arsenal back in 2012, inspired United to their historic 20th league title in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge at Old Trafford.

Ahead of the Netherlands international’s return to Manchester tomorrow night, where the Turkish visitors currently lead Group A after an unbeaten start to their Europa League campaign, SHOOT takes a look back at the Dutchman’s United career through a series of pictures…

August 17, 2012: Arsenal to Manchester United

Manchester United completed the signing of Van Persie from Premier League rivals, Arsenal.

After netting 131 goals in 276 games for the Gunners, the Red Devils splashed out an initial £22.5m on the Dutchman, with potential add-ons totalling £1.5m.

Putting pen to paper on a four-year contract, keeping him at Old Trafford until June 2016, Van Persie chose the number 20 shirt after then assistant coach, Rene Meulensteen, was convinced the forward would help the club win their historic 20th league title.

August 20, 2012: Red Devils debut

Just a few days, he made his Red Devils bow, replacing fellow forward Danny Welbeck in the 68th minute during United’s 1-0 loss to the hands of Everton at Goodison Park.

August 25, 2012: First goal against Fulham

Furthermore; another five days, Van Persie scored his first goal for his new club – with his very first effort on goal!

After Damien Duff had surprisingly given Fulham the lead at The Theatre of Dreams, the summer signing equalised for the hosts inside ten minutes, before Sir Alex Ferguson’s men went onto win 3-2 thanks to further strikes from Shinji Kagawa and Rafael Da Silva.

September 2, 2012: Hat-trick hero

September proved to be a very profitable month for United’s new striker, starting with a bang, a treble on the south-coast.

Just over a week after netting his goal for the club, he followed that feat up by notching a hat-trick against Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.

Goals from Rickie Lambert and Morgan Schneiderlin, now at the Red Devils, established a slender 2-1 lead after 86 minutes. However, that left just enough time for the lethal Dutchman to grab a last-gasp brace and snatch all three points for the visitors.

Plus, his third of the afternoon was his 100th Premier League goal.

September 23, 2012: Anfield ace

Another one of Van Persie’s September strikes came at Anfield, against rivals Liverpool.

Leading 1-0 through Steven Gerrard’s opener, despite having midfielder Jonjo Shelvey sent off in the first-half, United brought the scores level thanks to Rafael Da Silva’s leveller shortly after the interval.

But with just nine minutes remaining, Glen Johnson fouled Antonio Valencia to gift the away side a penalty late on.

Up stepped the Netherlands star, and of course, he powerfully converted the chance from 12 yards out to seal a late win for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

This game was much better than the Red Monday clash earlier this week!

November 3, 2012: Strikes down the Gunners

Fast forward into November, it was time for the Dutchman to face his former club, Arsenal.

But thankfully for the ex-Gunners, it was a successful reunion with his old team-mates, netting the opener in the 2-1 victory over Arsene Wenger’s outfit.

His third minute striker meant that he had now scored against all current Premier League clubs during that 2012/13 campaign.

December 9, 2012: Derby delight

In football, there is very little that beats scoring a late winner against your arch-rivals.

Van Persie experienced this exact phenomenon when he netted a last minute free-kick to record a 3-2 away win at Manchester City, settling the bragging rights in the city, for the time being.

His superb set piece ended the Citizens’ unbeaten league record, plus, their unbeaten home record since the previous term.

April 22, 2013: ‘Goal of the Century’

Fast forward again, into 2013, and in April, Van Persie inspired Manchester United to their prestigious 20th league title. And, he did it in some style!

The striker netted a first-half hat-trick, including the “goal of the century” according to then Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson, after sweetly firing the ball into the far corner from Wayne Rooney’s exquisite lobbed through ball from behind the halfway line.

Venomous volley.

August 11, 2013: More silverware success

After lifting his first, and last, Premier League title at Old Trafford a few months back, Van Persie kickstarted the new 2013/14 campaign with more silverware success.

The striker netted both goals, either side of half-time, to single-handedly see United lift the FA Community Shield after defeating Wigan Athletic 2-0 at Wembley Stadium.

It was also David Moyes’ first honour as Red Devils boss, after Sir Alex Ferguson retired after guiding United to their 20th league title last term.

October 26, 2014: Last-gasp leveller

And lastly, we skip through until October 2014, one of Van Persie’s last shining moments in a Red Devils shirt.

Trailing 1-0 at home to Chelsea in the dying embers of the game, the former Arsenal ace smashed home a last-minute leveller after Thibaut Courtois spilled Marouane Fellaini’s headed effort from Angel Di Maria’s free-kick.