The Netherlands international, whose contract expires at the end of the coming season, announced earlier this month that he would not sign a new deal with the Gunners.
Manchester City and Juventus are also reportedly interested in the 28-year-old.
During a press conference ahead of United's friendly against Ajax Cape Town tomorrow, Ferguson was cagey about his team's interest in the Arsenal captain.
"Arsenal have come out and made a statement that we've made a bid," he said. "But you know, we try to do business before we announce anything, and that's what we're going to do."
The volatile transfer situation means Van Persie will miss Arsenal's pre-season tour of Asia, as the squad flies out to Singapore tomorrow (Saturday).
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