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He’s just turned 29. He’s been injured for large chunks of his career. He has one year left on his contract. And Manchester United are reportedly about to pay between 20-25m for him.

It’s not the sort of business that we have become accustomed to at Old Trafford. Manchester United’s transfer policy over the last half dozen years or so has been to invest in youth. Instead of trying to compete for established stars, Fergie has bought young colts in the hope that he can develop them into champions. The coach isn’t averse to the odd older addition – Owen, Larsson and Blanc prove that – but certainly never for this sort of money. Usually Fergie’s veteran signings are low risk in terms of the finances involved.

But one of the main differences with this transfer is that this established star has bucked the trend of recent years by stating a preference for Old Trafford over the billionaires of Middle Eastlands – and this alone should make him a hero at Manchester United.

This is the sort of signing that states United’s intent. Robin Van Persie is at the height of his career and, despite his past injuries, he is a gamble that Sir Alex is more than happy to take. If he can combine with Wayne Rooney in the manner that most expect, Manchester United will once again have the shrarpness of tooth in attack that will keep opposition sides on the back foot, to a degree not seen since Cristiano Ronaldo trod the boards at The Theatre of Dreams.

On the face of it United didn’t struggle for goals last season. Sure, they did well against lower league teams. But they did fail to score at critical times in critical games. Robin Van Persie is a proven finisher. Even in the biggest games Van Persie has regularly found a way – making him a vital addition to any strike force. While Hernandez and Welbeck continue to learn, they still can’t unlock defences at will in the biggest games. But, in this respect, Van Persie has the skeleton key.

Having two players as skillful and intelligent as Rooney and Van Persie in the team should see an understanding of great substance developing before long. Both can influence the game from deep. Both can lead the line to great effect. Many assume that Van Persie would play further forward than Rooney but the interplay between the two should be as flexible as it is mouthwatering.

RVP’s arrival would not only bring United right back into contention for all the top prizes next season but reminds Wayne Rooney that he made the right decision in staying at United. These two winners will absolutely love playing together.