ROBIN VAN PERSIE inspired Tyrell Malacia to play for Manchester United.
The 22-year-old full-back underwent his United medical on Monday at the club’s Carrington training ground ahead of a £13million transfer from Feyenoord.
Malacia says United is a club he followed as he grew up watching Feyenoord legend Van Persie playing for the club.
Van Persie enjoyed great success in his three-year stint at Old Trafford, firing United to the Premier League title in 2013.
He told De Telegraaf: “In the youth of Feyenoord, we played a youth tournament at Manchester United and I said: ‘I will come back here one day.’
“That has now come true and that is of course wonderful!
READ MORE ON MAN UTD
“I always followed [Man Utd] because Robin van Persie played there as a Feyenoord player.
“That’s why I got an extra feeling with that.”
Malacia will also be familiar with his new boss, Erik ten Hag.
Ten Hag was able to personally scout Malacia during his time at Ajax.
Most read in Premier League
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
In fact, Ten Hag was said to be keen on signing Malacia at the Dutch champions but opted against it due to the club’s rivalry with Feyenoord.
Malacia will be the first signing of Ten Hag’s tenure at United.
On the Dutchman, Malacia said: “Mr Ten Hag is a very good trainer and also a warm person, so I had a good conversation with him and I have a very good feeling with him.
“That’s important, if all goes well we’ll work together for years.
“I’m looking forward to that, because I think I can learn a lot from him, he makes players who want to work hard better.”