On this day seven years ago, Robin van Persie scored a thunderous volley to clinch a record-extending 20th league title for Manchester United.
It is April 22, 2013. Manchester United are well on their way to return to the top of the summit of English football, with four games to spare. This was a record-extending 20th top-flight title for the Red Devils and it was van Persie, the player who had been the game changer for them that season, who clinched the title with a stunning hat-trick.
Today, we take a look back the second of those three goals, a strike which prompted the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson to hail it as the ‘goal of the century’. It was wondrous from the very first moment, when Wayne Rooney floated an inch-perfect long pass towards van Persie. But, the finish would go on to remain in the minds of Manchester United fans for years to come.
As the ball reached van Persie, who was making a run off the shoulder of Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar, the Dutchman unleashed a fierce first-time volley, catching Brad Guzan off his line.
The match would end in a 3-0 win for Manchester United, as they clinched what would be the last time they won the Premier League title till date. What a way to seal the deal, though.
