Robin van Persie's set for a Ruud awakening

RUUD van Nistelrooy wants his Dutch countryman Robin Van Persie to blow away his United goals records.

Van Nistelrooy scored 150 goals in 219 appearances for the Reds from 2001 to 2006 and in that time became Old Traffords all-time number one European goalscorer.

It all began when the striker came steaming out of the blocks following his 19m move from PSV Eindhoven.

A Charity Shield goal against Liverpool at Wembley kicked off a run of eight goals in his first 14 appearances 11 years ago.

Since Van Persies 24m summer move from Arsenal he has cracked in 11 goals in the same number of games.

By his standards, last seasons Premier League Golden Boot winner is currently suffering a barren period, having not scored in his last three games against Aston Villa, Norwich and QPR.

But 36-year-old Van Nistelrooy, who retired at the end of last season, believes RVP can get even better in a United shirt.

I think he can become an even better player here at United, he said. His style fits United so well. The way he wants to play, the way he likes to play. He has been a great success and he will continue for a good while.

I hope he does score as many or more than me. I had my time. My time has gone, now others have taken over.

He is fitting in easily. It is amazing really, it is like he has always played for the club.

He didnt need any time to settle in. He was straight on his level, scoring important goals and winning games for the team. I spoke to him and he feels very good at the club.

But that is the feeling you get when you come here. You feel part of something. You feel part of the family and of a tradition. You just want to go out and perform. He is doing that.
I felt like that. I felt very comfortable. It sounds crazy now you know more about the club. But that is what the manager does. He makes you feel strong and gets the best out of people.

With Van Persie not scoring against Queens Park Rangers last Saturday and having a rare quiet day for United it was down to substitute Anderson to transform the Reds.

United were a goal down against the London strugglers at Old Trafford and lame and lethargic until the Brazilian came on and upped the tempo.

Within six minutes of his arrival into the action Jonny Evans had equalised and a further seven minutes later Darren Fletcher and Javier Hernandez had added goals to win the match 3-1.

But it was the 24-year-old South Americans influence that turned the match and, with suspension ruling Paul Scholes out of the equation, it has won him a place in tonights XI against West Ham at Old Trafford.

I thought Ando won the game for us, said manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

His performance was outstanding. He took the game by the scruff of the neck and he was so positive and determined in his play that he picked himself.

Tonights Old Trafford visitors have made a decent fist of life back in the Premier League after winning promotion last May via the play-offs. The Hammers are in eighth place and have registered two wins on their travels.

And United boss Fergie is delighted for his pal Sam Allardyce after tough spells at Newcastle and Blackburn.

"Big Sam went to Upton Park a year and a bit ago and the cynics said hes not a West Ham manager as he doesnt play football, said Sir Alex.

What was his mandate? To get them up into the Premier League as quickly as possible and he got them up within a year. Tell me someone else who couldve done that?

Hes also had to rebuild the team and get two or three players out because of their salaries. Hes very underrated, its as simple as that.

Theres a sort ! of impre ssion about him being a certain type of manager. Its not really fair and Im pleased hes back in the Premier League.

The Blackburn situation was one of the craziest things Ive ever seen but I think Sam was more disappointed with what happened at Newcastle.

He was unlucky that a new owner came in and wanted a certain type of manager. He didnt get a chance in his first really big job with the expectation and fan base up there he didnt get a chance to do the job right.

Allardyce brought England striker Andy Carroll after the 35m misfit flopped at Liverpool for most of last season. Anfields new boss Brendan Rodgers didnt want a tall hitman in his set up and the Geordie is at Upton Park for the season.

Ferguson is predicting the tall, robust forward will be a handful for Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans, who are expected to start tonight even though Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are fit again.

I think its up to the boy to improve himself, Fergie added.I think he only played something like a dozen games for Newcastle and then he had to deal with a 35m transfer to a club like Liverpool when hes young. It was quite a big jump for him.

Id certainly not sign that kind of player for that kind of money. Weve gambled on young players in the past, maybe a couple of million or whatever, but when you get to that level 35m you really have to do a bit more homework and see how he is in his second season maybe.

Its not a lot of games that hes had. Hes a big lad, a great header of the ball, aggressive anda big bugger. You know hell be a handful for defenders.

United, meanwhile, are waiting on the fitness of winger Antonio Valencia who missed the QPR match with a minor hip injury.

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