Fergie backs 'Fab four' for goal glut reminiscent of 1999

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has sent a stern warning to rivals that his forwards Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez could emulate his 'Fab four' strikers from the 1999 treble winning season, scoring goals at will.

In 1998-99, United strikers Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham hit 76 of United's 128 goals in all competitions, with Yorke and Cole netting 53.

Now, Ferguson is hoping for a similar goal glut from last season's Premier League top scorer Van Persie alongside Rooney, Welbeck and Hernandez.

"We are delighted with the Van Persie deal. Rooney and Van Persie are two fantastic players and it's great to have both of them," The Daily Express quoted Ferguson, as saying.

"It gives us more strength and combinations up front. Going back to the 1998-99 season, we had Yorke, Cole, Sheringham and Solskjaer – the four best strikers in Europe. We're getting towards that now with Wayne, Robin, Chicharito [Hernandez] and Welbeck," he added.

"It's a fantastic collection of players. I just hope I pick the right combinations. It's great to have a player of Van Persie's quality to come into the squad as it is. I'm really pleased," he said.

United won the Champions League, the Premier League and the FA Cup in the 1998-99 season, completing a unique treble of major trophies.

United would open their Premier League campaign on Aug 20 against Everton, and their latest signing Van Persie is expected to make his debut at Goodison Park.