Former Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert says Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal struggles at times to manage more experienced members of his teams, but hailed the Dutchman's work with young players as "amazing."
Van Gaal has earned plaudits for his eagerness to give youngsters a chance in the United first team this season, highlighted by 18-year-old Marcus Rashford who scored a brace in each of his first two United starts.
Kluivert, who played for Van Gaal at Ajax and Barcelona, praised his former coach's ability with forming stars, while allowing that he may not always see eye-to-eye with his veterans.
"He's a trainer and a man who really wants to do well and sometimes, with experienced players who have already achieved something, he has some struggles," Kluivert, who worked as an assistant under Van Gaal with the Dutch national team, told Omnisport on Friday.
"With young players he is amazing, he's fantastic. Sure, also with experienced players but some players who are experienced have their own vision of playing in the game. That does not always go well.
"He knows what he wants. He is very honest, he is very straight and that's a characteristic that suits him very well."
Memphis Depay has struggled to find his best form since moving to Old Trafford from PSV Eindhoven last summer.
Kluivert, who confessed to be close with Depay, backed the young Dutch midfielder to succeed if he can fully focus on his football.
"[Depay] is in a little bit of a difficult situation," Kluivert explained. "But I hope for him, because I know Memphis very well, that he will succeed. If he can focus on the game he will succeed.
"A young player needs time in a new club with new players around him. At PSV he was the star and now he's playing among other big, young stars. I hope he will succeed because he is a good person."
Kluivert reserved praise for Rashford's ability to cope with the circumstances of being suddenly thrown into the United first team.
"He's quick, he's good in the air, he scores easily. He was thrown into the deep end and he succeeded, he survived.
"I hope he can succeed with [Anthony] Martial and Depay and if they really can focus on the game the future of Manchester United will be very bright."