ROBIN VAN PERSIE is back at Manchester United as he studies for his coaching badges.
The Dutchman, 40, became an Old Trafford hero when he quit Arsenal to link up with Sir Alex Ferguson’s men in 2012.
He went on to fire the Red Devils to the Premier League title during his first campaign, eventually finishing with 58 goals in three years with the club.
After leaving United in 2015 he spent two-and-a-half seasons with Fenerbahce before returning to boyhood club Feyenoord for the final 18 months of his playing career.
Since hanging up his boots in 2019, Van Persie has turned to coaching.
He began working as a coach at Feyenoord in 2020 and has since been diligently studying for his qualifications.
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Van Persie is currently working towards his Uefa Pro License through the Dutch FA.
As part of his studies, the former striker has had to spend time learning at a club away from the Netherlands, which is where Man Utd have come in.
According to The Athletic, Van Persie asked to visit the Red Devils – with boss Erik ten Hag saying yes.
While at Carrington he has been able to watch Ten Hag’s training sessions in addition to speaking with the boss, assistant Mitchell van der Gaag and football director John Murtough.
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Van Persie also caught up with former manager Ferguson at Old Trafford last weekend, as both watched United’s 3-0 win over West Ham.
He is expected to remain at Carrington until Thursday, with fans thrilled that he has been back – and many asking that he leave behind a parting gift regarding Rasmus Hojlund.
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One wrote on social media: “Please coach Hojlund!”
While a second pleaded: “Bring him in he’d help Hojlund.”
A third even joked: “Can he play up-front alongside Rasmus as well?”
And another added: “Give @Persie_Official a job in coaching role teaching youngsters how to score..”
Hojlund, 21, arrived at Man Utd in a £72million deal from Atalanta last summer.
He failed to score in his opening 14 Premier League appearances, but has since found form.
The Dane has bagged in each of United’s last four Prem games, including a brilliant strike against West Ham in front of Van Persie.
Appearing on the The United Stand, Hojlund recently revealed his all-time Man Utd five-aside team – with Van Persie not making the cut.
He said: “I need to put Peter (Schmeichel) in goal. Peter is Danish.
“Peter won everything here. Peter is a legend here but is also a legend in Denmark because he won the Euros for us.
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“I need to put Rio (Ferdinand) in there because he’s very memorable to me. I would love to put (Nemanja) Vidic in there, but I can only have one defender.
“I want to put Ryan Giggs in there, Paul Scholes and then Cristiano Ronaldo up front.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
