Tuesday 30 September 2014 07:20, UK
Robin van Persie believes Manchester United are growing stronger every day and says a top-four finish for Louis van Gaal's side is "realistic".
United have made a shaky start to the season with a leaky defence conceding 13 goals in seven games this season but van Persie believes confidence is building.
The Dutchman has been further heartened after United held out for a 2-1 win at West Ham on Saturday despite Rooney's red card.
"We are working together on this project and I think games like winning 4-0 against QPR help," said van Persie.
He (van Gaal) 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.
"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."
We have to make at least the top four. That's a realistic target but it's still early in the season.
Van Persie said that reaching the top four in the Barclays 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 but it's still early in the season.
"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.
"This year we have a great manager, great staff, great fans so when you look at everything together it makes it hard [not to be in the Champions League]. Everything is in place to be up there competing with the very best teams. I think we can do it and we will."
