Robin van Persie

ROBIN VAN PERSIE cracked a surprised smile as he reacted to Manchester United fans chanting his name at Old Trafford.The former striker joined BT Spor.

[visited United training ](https://www.thesun.co.uk/who/sir-alex-ferguson/)this week and was seen hugging old teammate David De Gea. [FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS](https://www.thesun.co.uk/betting/20812234/free-bets/) [Van Persie](https://www.thesun.co.uk/who/robin-van-persie/) broke out into a surprised smile and glanced towards the crowd. [Paul Scholes](https://www.thesun.co.uk/who/paul-scholes/) and Owen Hargreaves. [Sir Alex Ferguson](https://www.thesun.co.uk/who/sir-alex-ferguson/) raided rivals Arsenal for their top star late in the window as he looked to respond to the crushing, infamous title loss at the end of the 2011-12 season when Sergio Aguero struck. [Red Devils' second-leg Europa League win against Barcelona](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/21452574/man-utd-barcelona-live-score-stream-tv-channel-watch-europa-league-online/).

Robin van Persie returned to Manchester United for their Europa League tie with Barcelona.

He said it’s just giving me so much joy to watch Manchester United play again." A couple of weeks ago I was with him for a couple of days just to learn and to see how he works, and he is in every morning at seven. Van Persie was initially surprised that the fans remembered him so fondly, having spent just three seasons at the club. Van Persie currently works as a coach for Feyenoord but visited Carrington and spoke with Ten Hag prior to the Barcelona tie and could not hide his delight at hearing his name sung once again at Old Trafford by the United faithful, prompting him to hint that he may return to the club one day. "I think it is very important to win tonight because you go into that final on Sunday in a good mood - a winning mood. The ex- [Arsenal](/latest/arsenal-fc) star moved to United in 2012 controversially to win a [Premier League](/latest/premier-league) title under Alex Ferguson, as some Gunners supporters failed to forgive the Netherlands man for his exit.

Robin van Persie has praised Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford as a “unique talent” who can now "do the job" against any opponent.

Rashford from his talent is a world-class player.” His finishing is there, his confidence is there. He was a little bit rash at times, a bit panicky in some situations, but he’s now calming himself down and making the right finish and scoring lots of goals. “You could see that in the Premier League at an early age. He looks unstoppable and unplayable. “He is physically very strong, mentally he is very confident, that is connected as well to [manager] Erik ten Hag because he gives him the confidence and the stage, so for him it’s just a matter of being fit, enjoy the game, it doesn’t matter against who, he will do the job.”

United defeated Barcelona 2-1 (4-3 agg) on Thursday night to advance past the play-off stage and into the tournament knockout stage proper, thanks to Fred ...

They want to get the result and if you believe in that, even when you concede a cheap penalty, you have to go on. Van Persie spent eight years with the Gunners before leaving for United under acrimonious circumstances in 2012, citing his desire to win football's biggest prizes. We have some players and great personalities and even when you get setbacks, they move on. The former Put to him by Owen Hargreaves that his side were now able to cope with adversity in a way they weren't previously, Ten Hag nodded and pointed to the 'personalities' within his squad as being reason for that. 'If we draw Feyenoord, I know who to go to for all the information!': Erik ten Hag jokes that he will consult Robin van Persie if Manchester United get the Dutch league leaders in Friday's Europa League last-16 draw

Man United welcome Barcelona to Old Trafford for the second leg of their Europa League play off clash on Thursday night.

He added: "The whole energy around the club is so much more positive than it used to be in the last few years. Van Persie also admitted that he was impressed with the progress the club have made under Ten Hag. The Reds welcome Xavi's men to Old Trafford for the reverse leg on Thursday night, with a place in the knockout stages of the competitions up for grabs. In any normal game, they will make that difference. No matter what happened, they had to play with [nearly] 100,000 people against a very good side now and they stay calm and trust their own quality and ability. You have quality players in front who can make the difference.

Robin van Persie has revealed the vibe around Manchester United is far more positive than it was previously due to the improvements new boss Erik ten Hag ...

[Join the debate!](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manutd-van-persie-ten-hag-29293473#comments-section) What do you make of the job Ten Hag has done at Man Utd? The Red Devils [face Barcelona on Thursday night](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manutd-barcelona-team-lineup-tenhag-29282266) with a spot in the last-16 of the [Europa League](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/europa-league) up for grabs and also have an [FA Cup](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/fa-cup) fifth round tie against [West Ham](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/west-ham-united-fc) next week. And Van Persie, [who was back at Old Trafford](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manutd-tenhag-vanpersie-barcelona-carrington-29283806) this week, stressed that an aura of positivity is now back at the club because of Ten Hag. "The whole energy around the club is so much more positive than it used to be in the last few years. I said where did you travel from and he said I travelled especially to watch the match tomorrow and on Sunday for the cup final, from Bangkok. From the fans' point of view, it's a joy to watch. [club media](https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/robin-van-persie-discusses-fan-meeting-and-optimism-ahead-of-barcelona) if he could sense something special brewing, Van Persie replied: "I can feel that. I'm really looking forward to it." I said it's nice to hear but that is like a sign - people are really happy to see Manchester United play. For example, this morning, when I arrived at the airport, a fan came towards me and asked the question if I'm going to the game. And despite a challenging start to his tenure, the Dutchman has managed to get United challenging for major honours this term. [Arsenal](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/arsenal-fc) at the summit of the [Premier League](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/premier-league) and are also in the [Carabao Cup](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/league-cup) final, where they will meet [Newcastle](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/newcastle-united-fc) on Sunday.

ROBIN VAN PERSIE has told Erik ten Hag there's one team he will not want to face in the Europa League last-16 draw.And he hopes they would BEAT old.

No, I think it’s a possibility!” “We will see. Ten Hag replied: “I go to [Robin] to get all the information! ROBIN VAN PERSIE has told Erik ten Hag there’s one team he will not want to face in the Europa League last-16 draw. This prompted Van Persie, who was alongside Ten Hag on the pitch, to say: “I think Erik wants to play against anyone except one team. Robin van Persie tells Erik ten Hag the one team to avoid in Europa draw and says he would back them to BEAT Man Utd

Manchester United booked their place in the last 16 of the Europa League with a 4-3 aggregate win over Barcelona, following a 2-1 second leg victory at Old ...

Asked who he would be siding with if two sides were drawn against each other, the Dutchman replied: “I work for Feyenoord now! He replied: “I go to [Robin] to get all the information! And Feyenoord is my childhood team so.. The La Liga leaders took a first-half lead through Robert Lewandowski’s penalty, but a second-half turnaround inspired by Ten Hag’s attacking changes at the break, saw goals from Brazilian duo Fred and Anthony earn United victory. No, I think it’s a possibility.” Promoted Stories