It was on this day five years ago, 17 August 2012, when Manchester United completed the signing of Robin van Persie from Premier League rivals Arsenal, in a deal which inspired much excitement for the club's supporters.

The prolific Dutchman netted 30 times in his debut season and claimed the Golden Boot for the second successive campaign to help the Reds win the Premier League in Sir Alex Ferguson's final season in charge - fittingly scoring a hat-trick against Aston Villa at Old Trafford in the game which clinched the title.

Unfortunately, van Persie was plagued by injuries in the two seasons that followed but still reached double figures in each, before leaving for Fenerbahce in the summer of 2015. He made a return to the Theatre of Dreams last term and scored for the Turkish side in the Europa League as the Reds ran out 4-1 winners.

Watch some of the striker's best goals and highlights during his three years at United in our video above.