Ten Hag: Ex-Reds always welcome at Carrington
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says the door is always open to our former players, following Robin van Persie’s return to Carrington this week.
The 2013 Premier League title winner has been back at our training ground, ahead of the Reds’ game away to Aston Villa on Sunday, to complete a mandatory element of his UEFA Pro Licence coaching qualification.
Van Persie observed first-team sessions and conducted workshops with staff, alongside fellow Dutch coaches Ruben de Uil and Tim Bakens, having been welcomed back by the boss as he prepares for a potential career in management.
Why Van Persie is back at Carrington
ArticleRobin will be working closely with Erik ten Hag and the first-team squad this week.
“So, every player for Manchester United, from the past, is welcome,” Erik tells MUTV’s Mark Sullivan.
“And we want to help them. We go to serve them and so, for his Pro Licence and to learn, it's good to have him around here.
“I hope he has carried a lot of information which helps him for the future but, of course, also to pass his Pro Licence.”
Ten Hag goes on to speak about the mutual benefits of his players and staff rubbing shoulders with former Reds like van Persie at Carrington.
Ex-United goalkeeper Raimond van der Gouw is another example of a familiar face that has visited since Erik took charge, and van Persie's appearance this week was not his first under the boss.
“It's great to have such, say, icons of Manchester United around,” Erik adds about reuniting with our former no.20 this week.
“And, as I said, also others are very welcome. We want to help them. I think we have a lot of experience here and a lot of competencies.
“So, then we can learn from each other. And so, we are happy to do this.”