United star Robin van Persie was hit with a torrent of vile abuse on Twitter after posting pictures celebrating with City and Chelsea youth team players.

The Reds favourite set up his very own children’s competition in his home country, the Robin van Persie International Tournament, with under 9s and 10s vying for glory on Sunday.

Van Persie’s young son Shaqueel lined up for City, alongside Darren Fletcher’s son.

Youngsters travelled from as far as South Africa to take part, with 14 teams competing in front of 5,000 people in Maassluis.

After the tournament, Van Persie tweeted pictures celebrating with City’s under 9s team - and another enjoying a meal with Chelsea youngsters.

Fans immediately posted messages slamming the United star for being snapped with City youngsters.

One simply said: “Delete!”

Another called him ‘Judas’.

Some, realising Van Persie’s son plays for City, jumped to his defence.

One posted: “What’s wrong with you all? His son plays for them and he’s just happy for him! Twitter does my head in!”

After van Persie posted an image of him posing with ‘future Chelsea stars’, the abuse continued.

One person posted: “City and now Chelsea? Who’s next, Liverpool?”

Another said: “Robin, please stop this.”

After watching their sons play, Van Persie and Fletcher took to the pitch themselves for a kick-about with the young footballers.

The tournament raised money for Sophia Children’s Hospital in Rotterdam.

Van Persie and Fletcher are not the only current and former United stars to have kids appearing for rivals City.

Phil Neville’s son Harvey also plays for the club - and Peter Schmeichel’s son Kasper famously played in net for the Blues.

This weekend’s abuse came just weeks after City Women’s Toni Duggan received vile messages after posting a selfie with United boss Louis van Gaal.

City star and England international Duggan, 23, was sent a series of sexist messages after she posted the picture on the Instagram social media site.