Former Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has posted a heartfelt message after he was reunited with legendary ex-Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Robin van Persie arrived at Old Trafford in 2012 after he left Arsenal and completed a sensational £24m transfer to Manchester United.
The 40-year-old Dutchman had a remarkable impact in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season at Old Trafford, with Van Persie capturing the Premier League Golden Boot.
Van Persie scored an impressive 26 times in 38 Premier League appearances in the 2012-13 season, as United lifted their last league title under Ferguson in 2013.
Ferguson retired in 2013 after an incredible 26-year reign at Old Trafford, which was devastating news for Van Persie after he left United’s rivals to sign for the club.
The former Arsenal and United striker played on at the Premier League club under ex-United managers David Moyes and Louis van Gaal after Ferguson’s retirement.
However, the former Netherlands international struggled with injuries after his remarkable impact in the 2012-13 season and Van Persie left United in 2015.
Van Persie’s message to Ferguson
Robin van Persie went on to play for Turkish side Fenerbahce after his exit from Manchester United before making a return to Dutch side Feyenoord in 2019.
The ex-Netherlands striker called it time on his prolific playing career in 2019, with Van Persie later pursuing a career in coaching.
Van Persie previously served as an assistant coach to Dick Advocaat at Feyenoord and later became a co-head coach at the Under-16s.
For the current campaign, the ex-Feyenoord man took on the role of co-head coach for the Under-18s alongside duties for the Under-19s for the UEFA Youth League.
United’s official social media account on X, formerly known as Twitter, shared a photo of Van Persie reunited with club legend Sir Alex Ferguson.
Van Persie reacted to the post and shared a wholesome message about his meeting with Ferguson, with the former United star thanking him for his “coaching tips.”
“Wonderful to catch up with you, Sir Alex! Appreciate your coaching tips,” he wrote.
Van Persie on coaching career
Van Persie previously shared why he entered the world of coaching and his experience of meeting current United boss Erik ten Hag after visiting Carrington.
“The first time [I met Erik] was a couple of weeks ago when I was here for two days,” he said in 2023 (via Manchester United’s official website).
“That was the first time actually and the way how open he was towards me… he wants to share his knowledge and he wants to help a young coach.
“I’m a young coach now. My playing days are gone and I don’t think about or dream about actions anymore.
“I think about tactics and systems and how I can put my team in the best possible way on a football pitch.
“That’s how I think now and he gave me some new ideas.
“I get new ideas everywhere and he was one of them who really opened the doors and I appreciate that.”