Jol: RVP will guide United to title

Fulham 0 Man United 1

Jol admitted Wayne Rooney, the scorer of the game’s only goal, as the player who had caused his side most difficulties but in Van Persie, the manager sees someone who knits Ferguson’s side together, comparing the Holland striker’s impact to that of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a serial title winner with five different clubs.

The £23m transfer fee attached to the 29-year-old when he moved from Arsenal last August raised eyebrows given Van Persie’s age but in Jol’s view, the transaction has effectively ensured the Premier League trophy will be returned to Old Trafford from Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium in May.

Saturday’s win moved United ten points clear of City ahead of their rivals’ meeting with Liverpool yesterday and while Roberto Mancini’s side overturned an eight-point deficit in the final six games of last season, United have a more formidable look about them this time around.

“Rooney probably causes us more problems because he is playing behind in midfield and he is clever,” said Jol. “But Van Persie is the main man. Van Persie sets them up with the little flicks and the combination football, I think he will be top scorer again this year, he is like Zlatan; wherever he goes he will be a champion. And I think Van Persie has that quality as well.

“He won’t win the title if the rest are useless. But they are very good, plus they’ve got Van Persie. They are probably not only the best team but they are also the best squad.”

It was hard to disagree with Jol’s assessment, even on a day when United lost their way after failing to take control of the game during a vibrant opening. Anxious to claim all three points, Ferguson was able to add Javier Hernandez to his attacking mix shortly before Rooney’s goal and then added a fourth striker, Danny Welbeck, when other managers might have taken a more defensive option.

“We needed a goal and then they bring on Welbeck for example, one of the quickest players in the Premier League just to hurt you,” Jol said. “But that is all credit to them, they are Man United, so why shouldn’t they not have these players on the bench.”

As impressive as United’s attacking resources are, it took a mistake by Fulham centre-back Philippe Senderos to provide Rooney with a run on goal in the 79th minute that the striker capped with a precise finish. Before then United had hit the woodwork three times in the first half but they had also been pressed onto the back foot for much of the second period.

A 10-minute floodlight delay immediately before half-time may have disrupted the momentum of both sides, contributing to stodgier second period but the concentration among Ferguson’s defence, including much-criticised keeper David De Gea, never wavered.

“Players threw their body on the line, blocking shots, getting headers out and they really worked their socks off tonight,” acknowledged Ferguson. “There was a great determination about them.”

Having made United work hard for the win, there was much for Jol to be satisfied about, the result notwithstanding, and Fulham appear to be over their mid-season dip.

“We understand that the fans were not happy earlier, because he had not been fighting to the end,” said Sascha Riether, the Fulham right-back. “But in the last two games there has been a change. There was a team with a fighting spirit. If we can go on like that it will be a great season.”