Robin van Persie has been spotted at the Carrington training facility after he was invited to spend the week at his former stomping ground by Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
The 39-year-old, who scored 58 goals in 105 appearances during a trophy-laden three-year spell at Old Trafford, has been working as a coach at Eredivisie side Feyenoord – the club where he began and ended his career.
And ahead of the return of Premier League football, Van Persie is continuing to learn from the best as he works towards getting his coaching badges ahead of a potential career in management.
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He was invited to spend the week at Carrington training ground and as a result, he is benefitting from spending time with the likes of Ten Hag and Benni McCarthy, who joined United's coaching staff in July.
A post on Manchester United's official website explained why Van Persie was spending the week at Carrington.
They said: "The club is always keen to help its former players out and van Persie is benefiting from spending time with Ten Hag and his squad, as he studies for his coaching badges, with a view to working more in this field in the future."
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Van Persie posed for pictures with United youngsters Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Pellistri as the squad from a week-long winter camp in Andalusia.
The former Arsenal forward was also spotted walking alongside Ten Hag on Monday night after eating at Chinese restaurant Tattu in Spinningfields, according to the Manchester Evening News.
He took to Instagram on Tuesday night to show his appreciation.
"Thanks for the warm welcome @manchesterunited and Erik ten Hag," Van Persie wrote. "Great time back at Carrington for a trip down memory lane and to learn the ropes from one of the best coaches in modern football."
Here's how Twitter reacted to the news.
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One said: "Would love Van Persie to get a coaching role at United. Class act who knows what the Prem is all about," while another commented: "Please hire him as an assistant coach or something desperately need finishing and striking practice."
A third wrote: "The future of our attack is in safe hands."
Van Persie has worked alongside the likes of first-team coach Benni McCarthy, a lifelong United who linked up with his favourite club this summer.
The former Blackburn Rovers striker with over 100 Premier League appearances to his name has managed Cape Town City and Amazulu in South Africa's top division since hanging up his boots.
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He was even offered the South Africa national team job last year after impressing at club level, but turned down the opportunity.
Back in March this year, McCarthy parted company with Amazulu, and has since been linked with roles at Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates – two of the biggest clubs in his native country.
But the former Ajax, FC Porto and West Ham forward has returned to England in a surprise move.
McCarthy, a lifelong Manchester United supporter who can speak four languages, has a strong friendship with Cristiano Ronaldo.
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The former striker lived in Manchester during his time at Ewood Park and struck up a bond with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
McCarthy memorably helped Jose Mourinho's FC Porto side knock Manchester United out of the Champions League in 2004 after scoring two goals at the Estádio do Dragao.
He was, in his own words, "heartbroken" to score twice – and Mourinho wasn't happy about it.
“I support Man United and always wanted to play for them,” he told FourFourTwo in 2017. “I loved players like Mark Hughes, Andy Cole and Ryan Giggs.
“So I was heartbroken to score twice. My dream was to score once at Old Trafford, not to knock United out of the Champions League.
"I got hammered after the game by Jose Mourinho because I wasn’t very happy. He told me that if I didn’t cheer up then I’d never play in his team again.”
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/manchesterunited - AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Robin Van Persie, Erik Ten Hag, Premier League
