RVP will find ‘A’ game, says Carrick

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has backed Robin van Persie to get back to his best as the fear factor slowly returns to Old Trafford.

United face Stoke tonight on the back of their most convincing display of the season, as they overpowered Hull 3-0 in a one-sided contest on Saturday in which Van Persie responded to his critics with a fine goal.

Van Persie’s form has been indifferent this season and he came in for heavy scrutiny after an ineffectual display — in which he touched the ball just 13 times — in United’s unconvincing win at Arsenal on November 22.

But a week made a big difference and he repaid the faith of manager Louis van Gaal with a much-improved performance as Hull were swept aside. The 31-year-old threatened on a number of occasions and teed up a goal for Wayne Rooney before capping victory with a powerful left-foot strike.

He left the field to a good ovation as he was replaced by fit-again Radamel Falcao — whose availability might have threatened Van Persie’s place — for the final 20 minutes.

Carrick said: “We all get criticised at certain times and it’s something you have to deal with. The best way to answer it is the way he did it against Hull. “Robin scored a great goal and hopefully that will be the start of a good run over the weeks to come.

“When you have got him scoring, Wayne scoring and Falcao coming off the bench and nearly scoring, we’ll be a threat to anyone. You want those boys when they’re flying and it’s scary to play against.”

The victory over Hull changed the perception of the United side as they adjust to life under Van Gaal.

It was their third win in succession — the first time this season they have achieved that feat — and came in such a convincing manner that confidence could only be lifted.

Van Gaal’s bid to lift the club after last season’s relatively dismal return has been hampered by a lengthy injury list.

Record signing Angel Di Maria became the latest addition to it when he pulled up with a hamstring problem on Saturday.

Van Gaal has stressed the importance of maintaining momentum but is taking nothing for granted against Stoke. The 63-year-old said: “Winning, for a top club like Manchester United, is the most important thing in a week, or in a day. Especially when we are in fourth position in the league table you have to win, otherwise others shall overcome you.

“In the Premier League nothing is easy. When you see Liverpool struggling against Stoke City — (scoring in the) 85th minute — that shows. You see Arsenal struggling against West Brom — they could also have lost. Every game is difficult.”

Stoke manager Mark Hughes believes the club can cope despite injuries piling up. Midfielders Steve Sidwell and Ireland’s Glenn Whelan are the latest to join the casualty list that also includes Victor Moses (thigh), Robert Huth (calf), Peter Odemwingie (knee) and Dionatan Teixeira (broken foot).

Hughes said: “The injuries are a blow to us. Glenn has been checked over and it’s not a pull, which is also good news, but he’s not available for tomorrow.

“There’s not a great deal we can do about it. We’re trying to make the best of it.”