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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Dan Marsh

Robin van Persie runs Man Utd training drill with Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Pellistri

Manchester United hotshots Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Pellistri have been treated to tips from former Red Devils striker Robin van Persie, who was back at the club's Carrington training base on Monday.

Van Persie, 39, initially made his name in the Premier League with Arsenal, where he plundered 132 goals in 278 appearances during an eight-year spell. But it was during his prolific stint at Old Trafford that the Dutchman won his only league title back in 2013.

Since hanging up his boots after a second stint with boyhood club Feyenoord, Van Persie has moved into coaching. The former striker is still with the Dutch giants as an assistant manager after declining an opportunity to return to Old Trafford when Erik ten Hag took over in the summer.

However, Van Persie has now ventured back to his old haunt in Manchester as he bids to earn more coaching badges.

Van Persie was spotted with Ten Hag on Monday night. The Dutch duo share an agent, who was also present, and it has emerged that Van Persie put on a shooting drill for United's young stars before heading out with Ten Hag.

The two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner uploaded an image of himself, Garnacho, Pellistri and United coach Benni McCarthy with a caption that thanked Ten Hag for allowing him to attend training.

"Thanks for the warm welcome Manchester United and Erik ten Hag," Van Persie wrote on Instagram. "A 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."

Join the debate! Do you think Van Persie will manage in the Premier League one day? Let us know here.

McCarthy, who linked up with United back in the summer, revealed in his response that Van Persie had got involved by putting on a finishing drill for some of the club's highly-rated prospects.

In a comment on Van Persie's post, McCarthy said: "It was an absolute pleasure having you around. Legend. Really enjoyed our finishing session with the boys. All the very best with your coaching development. You have the making of a top coach."

With several of Manchester United's senior players not involved in training due to their exploits at the World Cup, Ten Hag has had the chance to run the rule over some of the club's youngsters.

Robin van Persie is an assistant manager at Feyenoord, another of his old clubs (ANP/Getty)

Pellistri, who featured at the World Cup with Uruguay, and Argentine youth international Garnacho will be hoping to push on and stake a claim for more first-team action during the second half of the Premier League campaign.

While Pellistri has yet to feature for United in the Premier League, he was a regular on Ten Hag's bench in the weeks leading up to the break.

Garnacho, meanwhile, has muscled his way into United's first-team plans following a number of eye-catching cameo roles. The 18-year-old, who was tipped to earn a late call-up to Argentina's World Cup squad, netted a last-gasp winner in United's 2-1 triumph over Fulham just before the domestic season paused.

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