Rio Ferdinand has claimed that his former Manchester United team-mate did not feel loved during David Moyes’ time in charge at Old Trafford.
Working as a pundit on the BBC’s World Cup coverage, Ferdinand suggested that the Dutchman had become a “sideshow” to the main attraction of Wayne Rooney under Moyes.
He said: “I just think that the dynamics changed when Sir Alex Ferguson left.
“He went from being the star man, the go-to guy, our top scorer, to being almost like a sideshow.”
Talking to Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Thierry Henry, he added: “You guys as forward need to be loved, and I don’t think he felt that love maybe last season.”
Van Persie scored twice under new United boss Louis Van Gaal in the Netherlands’ 1-5 win over Spain this evening.
