That was the year the Dutchman starred in the Netherlands' run to the World Cup semi-finals under soon-to-be United manager Louis van Gaal, prior to completing his own move to Old Trafford in September.
The elegant defender admits the switch from Ajax to United was "the chance of a lifetime", despite the emotion of departing his boyhood club.
And he also confesses he had not specifically targeted a move to the Premier League before United's interest became clear. Instead, he imagined another of Europe's top leagues might suit his playing style more comfortably.
“It began after the World Cup,” he told our podcast hosts, Helen Evans, Sam Homewood and David May.