Eight years after leaving Manchester United, Robin van Persie has returned to Carrington to oversee a training session with the players while interviewing Erik ten Hag.
The 39-year-old retired in 2019, ending his career with the club he started his professional career with, while eventually becoming a coach at Feyenoord.
Van Persie was handed the chance to work at United last year but opted to stay at De Kuip, citing a willingness to see the development of his son at the academy.
But he is back in Manchester temporarily to learn from Ten Hag while seeing some old faces. Upon his arrival at Carrington, Van Persie told BT Sport: “It’s good to be back. It’s been a while.”
The Dutch international controversially joined United from Arsenal in 2012 and went on to make 105 appearances in all competitions, scoring 58 goals with 21 assists.
While not a club legend, Van Persie is regarded as a hero among fans for firing the Red Devils to the Premier League title in his debut season. He scored 26 goals with 15 assists and didn’t miss any one of United’s 38 league games.
The two seasons that followed weren’t as prolific, with Van Persie scoring 28 goals in 57 games as United struggled after Sir Alex Ferguson retired, but he’s still well-liked in Manchester.
The Dutchman is now a coach and wanted to learn from Ten Hag who has led United to one trophy and could achieve a treble in the Europa League and FA Cup.
During a one-on-one with Ten Hag, he asked whether the philosophy had changed due to being in a different country.
He also asked whether Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford’s relationship on the pitch was worked on beforehand and if Ten Hag had any hobbies.
Whether Van Persie will return to United in a coaching capacity remains to be seen, but he did have the offer to be in Ten Hag’s backroom staff as he was being appointed the new manager.
