Erin ten Hag’s fellow Dutchman Robin van Persie has hailed him as one of the best coaches in modern football, upon linking with Manchester United. Van Persie, who famously donned the Red Devils’ shirt after joining them from Arsenal in 2012, was back at the club’s Carrington base as he oversaw a drilling session for the first-team. The former Holland international is taking up his coaching badges, and was invited by United to work with them.
The former striker was evidently elevated to be back at the club, as he also hailed the Red Devils’ manager Erik ten Hag and his assistants for a warm welcome. Van Persie plied his trade with United for three years between 2102 to 2015, where he fulfilled his dream of winning the Premier League title in his debut season itself.
Van Persie dishes out his verdict on Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag has come under immense criticism ever since he took over the Manchester United job this summer. He has enjoyed a mixed start to the season with the club, winning 8 of his 14 league games so far as United sit fifth in the table. However, United will have to contest a two-legged play-off in the Europa League to qualify for the Round of 16, where they face Spanish giants FC Barcelona.
But the biggest issue for Ten Hag to deal with so far has been the Cristiano Ronaldo saga. The two have found themselves at crossroads from the moment Ten Hag took over the United job in the summer. At 37-years-old, Ten Hag had a clear message for Ronaldo that he will not enjoy a starter’s role anymore given the high-pressing football that was going to re-established at the club after interim boss Ralf Rangnick had failed to achieve the same.
And to nobody’s surprise, a bench warmer’s role was never going to go well with Ronaldo, who could only manage 3 goal in 16 games prior to the crucial World Cup. Moreover, he also threw some tantrums to express his frustration, like the tunnel incident during the Tottenham game, after which he was suspended by the Dutchman for the next game against Chelsea. But all the bridges were burnt after Ronaldo gave an explosive interview to Piers Morgan wherein he slammed the club left and right, and also accused Erik ten Hag of not respecting him.
That was it, and Ten Hag was once again underfire from the fans for his treatment of their legendary forward. Manchester United immediately sacked Ronaldo, who then went on face World Cup heartbreak with Portugal in their quarterfinals exit at the hands of Morocco. However, their campaign was again marred with a rift between Ronaldo and Santos over his substitution. However, Van Persie has defended his fellow countryman Ten Hag by hailing him as ‘one of the best coaches in modern football’. In a message on Instagram where posted a pic with United coach Benni McCarthy and wingers Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Pellistri, the former striker wrote:
“Thanks for the warm welcome, @manchesterunited and Erik ten Hag. 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.”
Van Persie, who scored 58 goals in 105 appearances for the Red Devils clearly has no doubts about the abilities of Ten Hag unlike many. Meanwhile, Ten Hag is now searching for Ronaldo’s replacement as he confirmed in his latest press conference that United will go for a striker in January transfer market, but that the player has to fit their profile.