Former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal cut Robin van Persie from his Old Trafford squad in ruthless fashion, it has been revealed.

The Manchester Evening News says Van Gaal had a brutal way of telling Van Persie he was free to leave the club.

It is said that the former Red Devils boss told his striker he would be sold at the club's GOLF day at Mere.

United thought they would land a top replacement that summer.

But two of their top transfer targets - Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski - ended up staying at Bayern Munich.

Van Persie, meanwhile, hit out at Van Gaal shortly after his United exit.

"That was one of the first signals things weren't going in the right direction," he said.

"I asked to play in the reserves, to get my minutes, but after was on the bench again.

“The atmosphere changed between me and Louis and people at the club saw it, but I was always professional."