Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink keen to keep Manchester United link

Royal Antwerp manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has revealed that he is eager for his club's partnership with English champions Manchester United to remain in place.

The relationship between the two teams, which was established 13 years ago, has allowed United to loan some of the emerging talent to the Belgian outfit in order to gain some match action.

Davide Petrucci has recently started a spell at the Bosuilstadion, while the likes of Jonny Evans, John O'Shea and Fraizer Campbell all spent time there at the start of their careers.

Having been appointed the new boss of Antwerp earlier this year, former Chelsea and Leeds United striker Hasselbaink has conceded that it would benefit his team if the union with the Red Devils was extended.

"I work for Antwerp and they want to keep that link. I'm going to enforce that. I'm going to enforce bringing youngsters over from Manchester United to us because I think it's good for the relationship and I think it is good for my team as well. It's always good to give youngsters the opportunity to play minutes," he told MUTV

"In the past, we've had a lot of Manchester United players - Danny Higginbotham and several others - and, when you speak to them, it has benefited them to come over and just stand on their own two feet and play matches. I think it's a good thing."

Antwerp currently play in the second division of Belgian football.