"Van Persie never had it this tough at Arsenal" - Ferguson took a swipe at Wenger

Sir Alex Ferguson has taken a cheeky swipe at Arsenal after claiming Robin van Persie is suffering for having never experienced intensity like he has done this season.

The Dutchman, who won the Player of the Year award last season, swapped the Emirates for Old Trafford last summer in a controversial £24milion deal.

The 29-year-old enjoyed an explosive start at United, scoring 23 goals in his first 31 appearances to help his new side blow away the rest of the field.

However, Van Persie is without a goal for this club since the Premier League win over Everton on February 10.

And speaking to Inside United magazine, manager Ferguson suggested the drought be because his star man is in uncharted territory.

The Scot said: 'With Van Persie, we have to monitor it because we still don't know all about Robin, and the kind of seasons he's had.

'I don't think he had a season of such intensity during his time at Arsenal, so we'll have to look at that.'