Robin van Persie tells Erik ten Hag the one team to avoid in Europa draw and says he would back them to BEAT Man Utd
ROBIN VAN PERSIE has told Erik ten Hag there’s one team he will not want to face in the Europa League last-16 draw.
And he hopes they would BEAT old side Manchester United.
The Red Devils booked their spot in the next stage of the continental competition after beating Barcelona 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Goals from Fred and Antony secured a stunning 4-3 aggregate win.
And United now eagerly await their next opponent in today’s midday draw.
They will avoid another Champions League dropout after being classified as a non-seeded side.
And a simulated draw yesterday saw United paired with Ferencvaros of Hungary.
However, former striker Van Persie reckons there’s one team the Red Devils will not want to face… Dutch side Feyenoord.
The Premier League winner is now a coach with the Eredivisie side.
And United boss Ten Hag came up against Feyenoord numerous times while at the helm of rivals Ajax.
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But Van Persie reckons his new club can get the better of United should they be paired together today.
When Ten Hag was asked about who he wanted in the draw by BT Sport, he replied: “It doesn’t matter for me!
“I focus on Newcastle [in the Carabao Cup final], that is the only thing that counts.
“Doesn’t matter who will come, we have to beat them all, we know that, if you want to win a cup.
“We will see. We will respect every opponent, don’t get me wrong, but we are well prepared and we have a strong belief we can do it.”
This prompted Van Persie, who was alongside Ten Hag on the pitch, to say: “I think Erik wants to play against anyone except one team. Who’s that? Feyenoord!”
Ten Hag replied: “I go to [Robin] to get all the information! No, I think it’s a possibility!”
Van Persie added: “I work for Feyenoord now, and Feyenoord is my childhood team so… difficult one.
“Listen, Man Utd won so many things over the years, let Feyenoord win this one then!”