Feyenoord defender Tyrell Malacia has revealed the influence Robin van Persie had on his imminent transfer to Man Utd.
The Netherlands international underwent initial medical tests at Man Utd on Sunday and was expected to sign his contract on Monday.
There has been no official announcement yet but the deal has been in the pipeline for a number of days and Malacia will move to Old Trafford in a deal worth £12.9m.
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He will be the first signing of the Ten Hag era at Man Utd with the Red Devils also lining up potential transfers for Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Frenkie de Jong.
And ahead of his move to Old Trafford, Malacia has revealed that watching Van Persie – who scored 58 goals in 105 matches for the Red Devils – play for Man Utd had an impact on his decision to push for a transfer.
“I always followed Manchester United because Robin van Persie, who was a Feyenoord player, played there. That’s why I got an extra feeling with that,” Malacia told De Telegraaf (via the Daily Mirror).
“In the Feyenoord youth team we played a tournament at United and I said, ‘I will come back here one day’. That has now come true and that is wonderful, of course.”
Malacia wants to “reach the highest level” at Man Utd and he believes he can under the guidance of new boss Erik ten Hag, who he is familiar with from his time in the Netherlands.
The wing-back added: “I’ve only just come to this level so I have yet to show it all, but I want to reach the highest level and go for it. And I think I can do it, yes.
“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, because 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.”
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