Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated stealing Robin van Persie from under Manchester City's nose by warning his rivals they would never again score more goals than his own team.
The Manchester United manager hailed Van Persie as a new Eric Cantona after the Holland striker signed a four-year contract worth £250,000 a week. He will be in the squad for Monday night's Barclays Premier League opener at Everton.
And Ferguson immediately went on the offensive, telling City that never again would they get the better of his team by scoring more goals, as they did in last season's thrilling title race.
Ferguson said: 'No matter the years of experience we have of going for titles, last year was a different type of year. It's the first time anyone has beaten us on goal difference. That is what cost us the league and it won't happen again. Trust me on that.
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Fresh start: Robin van Persie poses with his No 20 shirt with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
Signing on: Robin van Persie poses with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
'We were still capable of winning the title without Robin but he gives us a sort of certainty for the future.
'We never thought we could get Van Persie. Even if you go back six months I couldn't see us getting him.
'I didn't think Arsenal would let him go, but then he refused a new contract and that's when we acted.
'It's been a long haul but we needed a finished player. Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs are coming to the end and I need mature, top players to replace them.'
City fought very hard themselves to sign Van Persie from Arsenal and manager Roberto Mancini reacted to news of United's triumph by nominating his rivals as favourites for the title. The Italian even went as far as to suggest United now have the four best strikers in the world.
A new hero: Van Persie signs autographs for fans outside Old Trafford
Smiles better here: Van Persie chats to supporters at his bid unveiling at Manchester United
Unsurprisingly, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger disagreed with Ferguson's claim that his strikers now compare to the 1999 Treble-winning side.
'Alex Ferguson is a bit too confident when he speaks of '99,' said Wenger. 'But, of course, it increases their potential offensively because they've got a world-class player.
'They have as well a number of players, like Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez, who will have restricted chances to play.'
Deadly: Van Persie was all smiles alongside Wayne Rooney in Friday's training session
Changing times: Van Persie is paraded inside Old Trafford after sealing his £24m switch
Delight: Van Persie was all smiles as he was shown off ahead of his press conference at Old Trafford
He said: 'We are favourites every week according to him. Does he not realise he's got a decent team himself?
'That rivalry with City has been going on for 100 years, not just last year.
'But the 6-1 defeat at Old Trafford was one reason why we lost the league last time and if you ask me who I think will be our biggest threat I would say Manchester City, without question.'
Van Persie will don the No 20 shirt previously worn by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at United and trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Friday.
The Holland international refused to elaborate on the exact reasons he turned down a new contract at Arsenal but hinted that he didn't believe the club was ambitious enough.
He said: 'Let me make one thing clear so things don't get twisted. From my side and Arsenal's side there are no hard feelings, it's just on certain elements I had a different view. That's life.
'Nobody is angry at me, I'm not angry at them.
'I made it clear in my statement that on certain elements we were not similar.
'I am here now and it's the biggest challenge of my life so far.'
Pairing: Van Persie speaks at his Friday afternoon press conference as he sits next to Ferguson
Putting it all on red: Van Persie and Ferguson smile for the cameras at Old Trafford
Watching on: David Gill, agent Kees Vos and Van Persie's wife Bouchra at the press conference
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