Manchester United striker Robin van Persie admits he's spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson about the first time he was considered while with Feyenoord.

Van Persie joined United in a £25million deal from Arsenal last summer.

But he revealed that he blew a golden chance to go to Old Trafford even before Arsene Wenger brought him to England.

Van Persie said: "Sir Alex Ferguson once sent a scout over to Holland to watch me when I was a young player and Feyenoord.

"But I was sent off that afternoon and the scout went back to England with that in his report. Sir Alex mentioned that to me when I arrived at United.

"He felt I was not yet ready for a move to a big English club all those years ago - and he was right.

"I said to the boss 'you were right then, but I am ready now'."