Robin van Persie believes Manchester United’s formidable attacking force will instil fear into their rivals.
United boss Louis van Gaal has added Radamel Falcao and Angel di Maria to create an offensive quartet which, along with Van Persie and Wayne Rooney, stands comparison with any side in world football.
Although the Red Devils have had problems at the other end of the field with a leaky defence conceding 13 goals in seven games this season, Van Persie says confidence is building — and has been further heartened by holding out for a 2-1 win at West Ham despite Rooney’s red card.
Asked if United will be able to frighten teams with their firepower, the Holland striker said: “I think we can be able to actually do that. If you look at these players, they are great players in their individual way.
“But now we are working together on this project and I think games like winning 4-0 against QPR help. We had a setback against Leicester (losing 5-3), but to win in these circumstances like the weekend sends a message and shows that even in these difficult games we can win. Now we have to extend that.
“The first half was 11 v 11 and we were playing really well as a whole team. Eight minutes later it was 10 v 11 and the whole thing changed, but the way we fought for each other was unbelievable. It was a bit nerve-wracking at times, but we dug in and we did it so it gave us a lot of confidence.”
Van Persie added that Van Gaal’s philosophy was demanding but that the rest of the squad were buying into his approach. He also revealed that the Dutch coach wants the players to have their say at team meetings on what is going right and wrong.
Speaking at the launch of Manchester United's first global sustainable technology partner Abengoa, Van Persie said: "It's very demanding in a good way as you have to be focused every single day of the sessions or the meeting.
“He wants players to get involved in the meeting too. You have to give your own input, which is what the staff likes. That’s a bit of the Dutch thing. Everybody gets involved in the project. We are all working on it. Everyone has their own say, which is maybe new for some players but not for me as I know how he works.
“I think it’s very interesting and very good because we are all pulling on the same rope — as the Dutch say. We all have one target, which is to win and win as much as we can. If I look at what I have seen in training and on the pitch in games, I can see that it is getting much better.
“We are improving every day and getting better. Some training sessions are incredible and we are showing that in games as well.”
