The latter’s Old Trafford switch from Feyenoord was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon as he became Erik ten Hag’s first signing as United manager.
Following the announcement, van Persie posted a message to the young full-back via Feyenoord’s official Twitter account, where he is now coaching.
The pair played together at the Eredivisie side between 2018 and 2019 when van Persie returned to the club where he'd started his professional career.
Malacia was born in Rotterdam and has worked his way through the ranks at Feyenoord before making the move to England, a journey that Robin knows very well from his own playing days.