text: Dutch darts duo Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld's current form couldn't be further apart as they head into Premier League Darts' ninth leg in Manchester on Thursday. World No 1 Van Gerwen, 25, beat countryman Van Barneveld, 47, 7-2 last week to remain undefeated and leave the veteran four-time World Championship winner on the brink of elimination. With one aiming to keep his feet on the ground while flying high and the other  searching for a way back to former glory, there could be few better sources of inspiration than Old Trafford, where the pair posed with compatriots Manchester United stars Daley Blind and Robin van Persie on Wednesday. Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld (centre) pose with compatriots Daley Blind (left) and Robin van Persie (right) at Old Trafford on Wednesday . Dutch darts duo Van Barneveld and Van Gerwen with point to Robin van Persie's shirt at Old Trafford . Van Barneveld (left) and Van Gerwen pose in front of the No 17 shirt worn by another countryman, Daley Blind . 'Bullseye! Dutch darts legends Raymond van Barneveld and Michael van Gerwen enjoyed a tour of Old Trafford today,' posted the club's official Instagram as they hosted the darts icons. Van Gerwen was sensational in Dublin last Thursday averaging over 108 and hitting seven 180s, as well as narrowly missing a nine-darter, but with the 10-man field being cut by two after Thursday's matches his compatriot could be leaving the tournament early. Both players showed immense respect for each other after the game, taking to Twitter to pay tribute to their opponent. Van Persie tweeted this picture of him Blind, Van Gerwen and Van Barneveld at a dinner table . Blind claimed to have been on the winning team in his post on Instagram . World No 1 Van Gerwen beat Van Barneveld 7-2 last week to stay undfeated in Premier League Darts . Defeat by Gary Anderson on Thursday could spell elimination for Van Barneveld . 'I gave it my all. It was not enough, back to the practise board. Happy with my game, tonight 'Van Gerwen) was too good, congrats!' he wrote to his BarneyArmy supporters. Van Gerwen was gracious in victory: 'Always special to win against a great player in (Van Barneveld). So happy to get the points and stay unbeaten. Dublin you were fantastic.' The eight who remain will go on to Sheffield, Aberdeen, Cardiff, Birmingham, Newcastle and Brightton before the play-offs at The O2 in London on May 21. Van Barneveld faces Gary Anderson and defeat will end the defending champion's campaign but he's not letting the occasion get to him. 'I don't feel any pressure,' he told Sky Sports. 'I'm aware that I'm the defending champion and I'm aware that I'm among the nine best players in the world.' The two Vans connected with more Dutchman, and a fellow Van, with pictures taken in front of shirts bearing the names of Robin van Persie and Daley Blind. Louis van Gaal was nowhere to be seen but he has a fan in the world No 1, who had faith he would succeed in the Premier League after his work with their national team. 'No one gave him anything for this World Cup and he did it - he got them to the semi-final,' he said ahead of the former Ajax and Bayern Munich boss's appointment. 'But not only that he has worked for all the big teams and now he is jumping into a big task at Man United. He will make them better - I know he will.'
target: Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld are in Manchester .
  They will contest the ninth leg of the Premier League Darts tournament .
  Van Gerwen is undefeated, Van Barneveld could be eliminated on Thursday .
  The Dutch duo visited Manchester United's Old Trafford on Wednesday .