Robin van Persie, who currently works as a coach at Feyenoord, has been strongly linked with a return to United in recent days to help Ten Hague in his new role at the club. Rooney was also named as one of many candidates for the role of assistant coach before dismissing his former employers to remain in charge of Derby until the end of the season, according to Stretty News. The report claims that Rooney was the candidate who drew the most enthusiasm from United’s management, but insisted in preliminary talks that he was determined to stay in Derby, which looks set to be relegated to League One after scoring points during of this season. Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs were also said to have approached United, but turned down the opportunity to return to the club for various reasons. The situation leaves Van Persie as the clear leader for the role, with Ten Hag hoping that United will close a deal for a former player before the summer months. Van Persie could ask United to sign his son, Shaqueel, to the club academy as part of any deal to join Ten Hag at the Red Devils next season. JUST IN: Antonio Rudiger names two Real Madrid stars who killed Chelsea It remains to be seen whether Van Persie will eventually be condemned by United in the coming months or whether the club’s hierarchy will decide to go in a different direction after their first-round defeat to Rooney. The Dutchman has insisted in the past that his coaching philosophy focuses on helping young players reach their full potential in a possible hint as to what Ten Hague could benefit from being the first to be tempted to join his team. at Old Trafford. “I was a creative player and I never liked a coach telling me what to do just because I wanted my freedom, so now what I’m trying to do is have two parts to my coaching style,” Van Persie told The Star a. a year ago when asked about his approach to his coaching career. DON’T MISS “One, you have the philosophy of the team and two, you have the personal way of working with the players. At all times I try to [get them] to keep their freedom. “All these guys are really talented and that’s why they play in such a good club. They’re constantly trying to find the balance that makes them play by your philosophy, but still let them be creative in their own way. . “ Want the latest Premier League news as we publish it on Express Sport? Join our Facebook team by clicking here
