Silvestre Impressed By United

Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre thinks his old side have hit form at just the right time in the Premier League.

A dismal start to their league campaign saw United take just five points from their first five matches, but Louis van Gaal’s men are the Premier League’s in-form side with four wins from their last four games.

And Silvestre, who now plies his trade with Hero Indian Super League leaders Chennaiyin FC, believes the form of inspirational captain Wayne Rooney has been key to United’s revival.

“They’re coming back at just the right moment before the Christmas period and hopefully their injury problems will reduce and they will get even stronger,” Silvestre said.

“Now the players know each other better. They’ve stepped it up and they now know what’s required in the Premier League.

“They’re now in the fourth Champions League place and they’re really benefitting from Rooney’s form for United and England.

“He’s been a good captain and it was the right time for him to get the armband. Players like that and Robin van Persie coming back to form and the likes of Radamel Falcao makes them tremendous going forward.”

Asked where he thought United would finish at the end of the season, Silvestre said: “Top four. I think they are going to get stronger. I think they are now finding the right balance with Louis van Gaal.”

Silvestre enjoyed a highly successful spell at United under Sir Alex Ferguson, clinching five Premier League titles and playing in the 2007-08 UEFA Champions League double-winning side.

And the 37-year-old, who counts Inter, Arsenal and Werder Bremen among his former clubs, remembers his time at United with great fondness.

“I only have the best memories of my time at Old Trafford,” he said “It’s a great stadium to play in and you always want to peform and do well at United because it is special.”