Van Persie ‘ready to turn down Man Utd offer’ from Ten Hag, with assistant search likely between Meulensteen and McClaren

MANCHESTER UNITED legend Robin van Persie is expected to turn down a return to Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag’s assistant manager.

The Ajax coach is said to have agreed verbally with the Red Devils on Ralf Rangnick’s successor in the summer.

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And the Dutchman is said to be keen to change the staff in the backroom of the Theater of Dreams once he takes charge.

It was thought that former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy would be an option for Ten Hag, but he has since been confirmed as PSV’s next manager.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s former No.2 Steve McClaren has also been considered by Ten Hag.

Ten Hag has good relations with McClaren, who both worked together at FC Twente in the 2008/09 season.

Rene Meulensteen, who was Fergie’s right-hand man between 2007 and 2013, has also been linked with a return.

Ten Hag is believed to want two assistants at United, with the Daily Mail stating his Ajax No. 2 Mitchell van der Gaag will follow him to England.

The 52-year-old would like someone who knows the club well as his second assistant.

The news outlet claim that Van Persie has been offered the job but he is likely to turn it down in order to stay at Dutch club Feyenoord, where he works at the academy.

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RVP reportedly tends to stay in Holland due to family commitments.

His son Shaqueel is in Feyenoord’s academy, while his daughter Dina is a jumping talent – and it’s believed he’s keen not to uproot her at this point.

This has prompted Ten Hag to now weigh up whether to bring either McClaren or Meulensteen back to United.

Although the ex-Middlesbrough gaffer is unlikely to find his way back into the Old Trafford dugouts.

And that’s despite ex-midfielder Luke Chadwick insisting McClaren would be a perfect assistant to Ten Hag.

The 2001 Premier League winner said: “Steve was at Manchester United when I was there and he was a fantastic manager.

“He’s had one of the most successful periods at the club, he knows the club well and worked under Sir Alex Ferguson this treble-winning season.

“He’s a man with a lot of experience, he’s also worked abroad at Ten Hag in Twente and has had a really successful spell at United so he could be ideal to support the new manager.”