Van Persie says United’s offensive power will strike fear into opponents

Robin van Persie believes Manchester United 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 Netherlands 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.”

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 the Dutch coach wants the players to have their say at team meetings on what is going right and wrong.

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.

“We are improving every day and getting better. Some training sessions are incredible and we are showing that in games as well.”

Van Persie said that reaching the top four in the Premier League was a “realistic target” and that the squad were setting high standards.

He added: “We have to make at least the top four. That’s a realistic target.

“We are here, everybody wants to win every game, every training session and even if we are playing a different kind of game like table tennis. We are winners. We are not here just to set low standards. We want them to be as high as possible, winning games and winning trophies.”