With Manchester United still searching for their next permanent manager, Ruud Gullit has backed a former Arsenal captain to take charge of the club ‘at some point’.

United will appoint Ruben Amorim’s permanent replacement in the summer after sacking the Portuguese boss last month following a disappointing 14-month tenure.

Michael Carrick was placed in temporary charge of United and has overseen seven wins in ten games to take the club back into the Champions League places.

Manchester United’s resurgence has led to speculation former midfielder Carrick will be handed the reins permanently at the end of the season.

But England’s Thomas Tuchel and Brazil’s Carlo Ancelotti have also been linked with the job, while former Ballon d’Or winner Gullit views ex-Arsenal striker Robin van Persie as a future Manchester United manager.

Van Persie established himself as one of Arsenal’s greatest ever goalscorers after being signed by Arsene Wenger in 2004.

The Netherlands international scored 132 goals in 278 games for the Gunners, including Arsenal’s most in a Premier League season and calendar year.

After a breakdown in his relationship with Arsenal bosses, Van Persie completed a controversial move to Manchester United in 2012 and enjoyed three productive seasons at Old Trafford.

His 30-goal campaign in his first year at United helped Sir Alex Ferguson’s side win the Premier League title and saw him bag a second consecutive Golden Boot award.

As an integral member of the last Manchester United side to lift the Premier League trophy, Van Persie is still remembered fondly at Old Trafford.

His compatriot Gullit, a former Ballon d’Or winner, believes Van Persie has developed into a ‘great manager’ since hanging up his boots and ‘hopes’ he takes charge of the Red Devils ‘one day’.

Van Persie, 43, began his managerial career at Eredivisie side Heerenveen and has been at Dutch giants Feyenoord since the start of 2025.

‘It would be great if Robin van Persie became the manager of Manchester United in the future,’ Gullit told Gambling Insider. ‘I definitely hope that happens at some point!

‘Robin is a great manager, but he’s struggling a little bit at Feyenoord at the moment. I feel like the expectations for him are very high because of the career he had, so he’s under the spotlight a lot more than other managers in the Eredivisie.

‘He’s under fire over here in Holland at the moment, but I hope he’s given time to rectify it and prove how good he is.

‘Look what happened with Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United – they kept him, and look how good he ended up being!

‘Down the line however, I think it would be great for Robin to manage at Old Trafford one day.’

United return to Premier League action with a home clash against fierce rivals Leeds on Monday night.

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Robin van Persie has been backed to manage Manchester United one day as Sir Jim Ratcliffe as the club’s owners search for Ruben Amorim permanent successor

Ruud Gullit believes Robin van Persie possesses the credentials to one day manage Manchester United. The Reds have named Michael Carrick as interim head coach manager until the season concludes after sacking Ruben Amorim.

Carrick is among the favourites for the role, having won his first three games since taking charge. However, names such as Carlo Ancelotti, Thomas Tuchel and Luis Enrique are also being considered, as club owners, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe, look to make a full-time appointment in the summer.

But Gullit reckons Van Persie would be a suitable candidate to manage his former club at some stage down the line. Speaking to Gambling Insider, he said: “It would be great if Robin van Persie became the manager of Manchester United in the future.

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“I definitely hope that happens at some point! Robin is a great manager, but he’s struggling a little bit at Feyenoord at the moment. I feel like the expectations for him are very high because of the career he had, so he’s under the spotlight a lot more than other managers in the Eredivisie.

“He’s under fire over here in Holland at the moment, but I hope he’s given time to rectify it and prove how good he is. Look what happened with Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United – they kept him, and look how good he ended up being!

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“Down the line, however, I think it would be great for Robin to manage at Old Trafford one day.”

Van Persie joined United from Arsenal in a stunning deal in 2012. He went on to score 48 goals in just 86 league appearances and helped United win the Premier League title in 2013, which turned out to be their last one since Fergie retired.

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