Arnold Muscles in on Klaas Act

By Staff Writer | 9th July 2009

Arnold Muscles in on Klaas Act | read this item

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klass-jan-huntelaar Sir Alex Ferguson should look no further than Real Madrid and Holland striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar for the new focal point to his Manchester United strike force, according to Eighties style icon Arnold Muhren.

Old Trafford favourite Muhren is well placed to pass judgement on Huntelaar having worked with the 25-year-old at Ajax and is convinced he could be the perfect foil for the likes of Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.

The young Dutchman – who only arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu in January for £17m – could be a high profile casualty of president Florentino Perez’s astronomical summer spending spree and reports suggest Spain’s capital club would be willing to cut their losses if they can recoup the money they spent in the winter window.

Ferguson has already brought in Owen, Antonio Valencia, and Gabriel Obertan – but also missed out on Karim Benzema, who joined Real, and may feel his attacking department is missing a figurehead.

“The way the market has gone this summer then Klaas-Jan would be an absolute bargain at that kind of price,” Muhren told the Manchester Evening News. “If United are looking to replace the goals lost through [Cristiano] Ronaldo’s sale then Huntelaar comes as near as you can get with a guarantee to score them.

“He’s a goal scorer. Very, very dangerous in the box. He scored 76 league goals in 92 appearances for Ajax and despite what some people might tell you, that is not easy.

“I believe he can score goals at any level. He has proved he can do it on the international stage with 13 goals in 23 matches for Holland. He has proved he knows where the back of the net is throughout his career. He might need a little time to settle into the Premier League but he would score goals in England.”

Huntelaar’s stature and style have drawn obvious parallels with countryman, fellow Real striker and former United goal-getter Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Muhren is optimistic he would make a seamless transition to the Premier League and become the new crowd favourite.

“Huntelaar is not as fast as van Nistelrooy but he’s not slow,” said Muhren who coaches in Ajax’s youth academy. “You need to play it to Klaas-Jan’s feet. He’s a target man who will hold the ball up for you and bring the midfielders into play. That’s his style. He’s also very good in the air.

“He needs wingers feeding him the ball and midfielders playing into him. Like Ruud, if you give him the right service in the box then nine times out of ten he will score. Play to his strengths and create opportunities and Huntelaar will pay you back in goals.

“He would be another good option for United with Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.

“Owen is fast over the first two or three yards and can win the balls put over the top. Rooney is a great talent and works hard and scores goals. He also has that ability to play wide and come in from that position. I love Berbatov’s kind of arrogant style. With Huntelaar added to that department it would be a great mix.”

Nick Walsh writes features and betting previews for Betfair.