“Bring him back to replace Martial” Fans react as Robin van Persie visits Manchester United training ground ahead of the Red Devils Barcelona clash
Robin van Persie meets the Manchester United players ahead of their Barcelona tie
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Retired Manchester United striker Robin Van Persie was seen meeting the players at the Carrington training complex on Wednesday. A video posted by the club’s official social media handles showed the players shaking hands with the “Flying Dutchman”.
The video showed Van Persie meeting the entire team as it assembled to train before Manchester United hosts Barcelona in the UEFA Europa League playoff on Thursday. Among the current players, only David De Gea and Luke Shaw have had the opportunity to share the dressing room with the marksman.
Van Persie also met Darren Fletcher, a member of the supporting staff under coach Eric Ten Hag. The Dutch contingent of the club also seemed very pleased to see their highest goal scorer. Dutch left-back Tyrone Malacia and Wout Weghorst were seen hugging van Persie. Lisandro Martinez who played for Ajax was also jubilant.
What is van Persie doing now?
According to reports, van Persie is currently working with Eric Ten Hag to earn his coaching badges. This is the reason being cited for his presence in Manchester. Earlier this week, the mercurial dutchman was seen dining with the Red Devils’ manager at a Chinese restaurant Tattu in Spinningfields. While speculations arose that van Persie might be close to joining the Manchester United coaching staff, the club has denied any such probability.
After concluding his playing career at his boyhood club Feyenoord in 2019, RVP joined their coaching staff as an unofficial coach for the strikers. In 2021, he joined the club officially as an assistant coach and the head coach of the U16s side.
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Why Did van Persie Not Go To Arsenal?
Followers of the Premier League would remember the Dutchman making his name for Arsenal. He played seasons for the Gunners and interestingly, he was the club captain of current Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
However, Van Persie burned all his bridges with the club when he left to join league rivals Manchester United in 2013. The news of the club captain joining direct rivals was not taken lightly by the Gooners. People close to the matter reported in 2013 that it was the allure of a Premier League medal that made the then-29-year-old jump ship.
The relationship became even more caustic when Arsenal had to give a guard of honour to their former captain in the first season he went out. These factors combined, have made the Dutchman, to put it mildly, not so favoured by Arsenal fans. RVP also won the Golden Boot in the 2013/14 and struck an incredible partnership with Wayne Rooney.
Manchester United prepare to host Barcelona
Ten Hag’s resurgent Reds are playing some of the best football since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson. After their initial hiccups, the Dutch manager has made Manchester United a formidable force, as exemplified by their performance at the Nou Camp last week.
United ended the match with a strong 2-2 draw against the Catalan giants. On Thursday, Xavi’s team will be under pressure before coming to play in the Theatre of Dreams. Barca will also be lacking the services of Pedri and Gavi. Pedri picked up a hamstring injury last week while Gavi will miss the match due to a suspension.
Former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro, who missed the previous tie, will be playing for the English side. It will be important to see whether Manchester United are able to end the Blaugrana’s European run or whether Xavi can outwit his tactical counterpart.
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Arpan Ghosh
(1403 Articles Published)