Kluivert: Attacking Stars Can Inspire Reds

Patrick Kluivert says the growing understanding and link-up between Manchester United's attacking stars is the key to making 2014/15 successful for the Reds.

The former Dutch international striker, who worked under Louis van Gaal as Netherlands manager, was delighted to see fellow forward Radamel Falcao open his account for the Reds against Everton and, like many observers, has been hugely impressed by the impact made by British-record signing Angel Di Maria.

With an attacking line-up boasting a host of star performers including Di Maria, Falcao, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata, Kluivert believes the Reds will be a force to be reckoned with as the season progresses and, guided by van Gaal, he is backing United to have a memorable campaign.

"I was delighted to see Falcao score his first goal," Kluivert told ManUtd.com. "He is a great player and also a good man. I hope he can do well alongside my friend Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney – they are a real offensive force.

"Di Maria is a great signing as well and if those players can link together well this season I think it will be a very good season for United. Everyone knows the situation at the moment - it's going better than at the beginning and I hope they are growing as a team."

Kluivert has watched with interest as van Gaal shapes a new United team and, naturally, he is certain the Dutchman will prove to be a triumph in Manchester.

"Of course, I know van Gaal very well and he is a great person and a fantastic trainer," he told us. "He brought me up through the youth ranks at Ajax and put me in the first team. He also signed me for Barcelona from AC Milan.

"He is a great coach. His tactics are amazing – a big example is at the World Cup in Brazil when we changed systems a short time before the tournament. Nobody thought we could go as far as we did. He will do very well at Manchester United.”

Another current Red that Kluivert knows particularly well, having worked with him at international level, is Daley Blind and, while much of the focus is on United's array of attacking talents, the holding midfielder is also proving influential.

"Daley gives great protection for the defence – that's one of his real strengths," explains Kluivert. At the moment he’s playing left-back for the Dutch national team but I think he is even stronger as a midfielder.

"He can divide a game very well. He’s very calm, he’s good at winning possession and his vision is excellent. The fans have already seen his quality and I think he will continue to grow.”