"World-Class" Van Persie can win title says Giggs

LONDON - Agence France-Presse

Manchester United's Robin Van Persie celebrates his third goal against Southampton during their English Premier League soccer match at St Mary's stadium, Southampton, England, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012. AP photo

Ryan Giggs believes Robin van Persie's world-class goalscoring talent will prove the key to Manchester United regaining the Premier League title.
 
United's reign as English champions was ended in agonising fashion last season as local rivals Manchester City pipped them to the title on goal difference on the final day.
 
But United manager Sir Alex Ferguson reacted to that blow by paying Arsenal 24 million to sign Dutch forward van Persie in a bid to ensure a lack of goals wouldn't be a problem again this season.
 
Van Persie, who scored 37 goals in all competitions for Arsenal last term, has made a superb start to life with his new club, scoring four times in three appearances, including a hat-trick against Southampton last weekend.
 
And veteran United midfielder Giggs is convinced van Persie's presence is going to end up being the decisive factor in the title battle.
 
"We lost it on goal difference, so hopefully the goals that he's bringing, if it does come down to goal difference, then we'll have the upper hand this time," Giggs told Sky Sports News on Sunday.
 
Giggs also acknowledged that splashing out on the 29-year-old was a necessary departure from Ferguson's transfer policy in recent years, which focused more on investing in the potential of gifted youngsters.
 
"The goals that he's scored, and his performances in general, it's obvious he's a world-class player," Giggs added.
 
"The manager's policy over the last 10, 15 years is to buy young players and develop them, the likes of Cristiano (Ronaldo), the likes of Wayne (Rooney).
 
"But Robin's a readymade world-class star and is proven. I think he's shown that in the first few games and I'm sure there's more to come."