Erik ten Hag explains 'benefit' of having Man Utd legend at Carrington this week

Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United will 'benefit' from having had Robin van Persie at Carrington during training this week.

Van Persie was spotted alongside two other coaches from the Netherlands during a United training session that was posted online. The former striker wasn't involved in leading any drills but watched on as Ten Hag oversaw the sessions.

Currently co-head coach within Feyenoord's youth setup, Van Persie is training for his UEFA Pro Licence and is required to work with a non-Dutch club during the process. It is why he has been with the United team in recent days but Ten Hag believes both sides can learn valuable lessons from the collaboration.

“For his Pro Licence course he has to do part of it with a foreign club, so that is why he has been here,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports of Van Persie’s working visit. “A former Manchester United player, of course we always want to help them so we gave him the opportunity. 

“I think for him it was a great period but also for us, and of course we debated, the coaches talked together so hopefully we also took something from him, because he brings a lot to Dutch football. He also brought a lot to English football - Arsenal and Manchester United - so we will benefit from this experience as well.”

Van Persie is understood to have made the request to come and fulfil this part of his training at United, with Ten Hag more than happy to agree. As well as observing first-team training, he has been able to converse with the Reds boss and some of his coaching staff.

The United legend was spotted at Old Trafford for Sunday's 3-0 win over West Ham, where he reunited with former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. During his three seasons as a Red, the Dutchman netted 58 goals in 105 games and won the Premier League during Ferguson's final year, in 2012/13.