Ferdinand: I'm awestruck by RVP

By FOX Sports Staff

Van Persie joined United from Arsenal during the summer in a high-profile £24 million move, and the Dutch international has thus far proved to be one of the best signings of the season.

The 29-year-old has scored an amazing 18 Premier League goals for United so far this season and have helped fire the Red Devils to the top of the table, seven points ahead of nearest challengers Manchester City.

Unsurprisingly, Van Persie has earned himself numerous plaudits for his performances on the pitch, and Ferdinand has recently come out to join in the chorus of praise of the former Feyenoord player.

"The fans see how good Robin is in games but we see it all the time in training," Ferdinand told the Sun.

"Sometimes when we're practising and he produces one of those special bits of skill you think, 'Bloody hell how did he do that?' and you just want to stand there and clap.

"I'd always known he was a quality player but since he's come to United he's surprised even us with just how good he is.

"His technique is brilliant and his finishing so clinical.

"When he gets his chance he usually puts it away and, if he misses one, it doesn't get to him - he just carries on and scores with the next one.

"At Arsenal he seemed to play a bit differently. They would string a load of passes together and he was there to finish things off.

"With us he drifts from being a No 9 to a No 10, his hold-up play is really good and he goes wherever he feels he's needed.

"He's a good professional as well and is always working to get better. I've heard everyone talking about the success of the partnership he has with Wayne Rooney but it's not just him and Rooney.

"He works well with any of the strikers in our squad - Danny Welbeck, Chicharito, they all seem to gel with him."

Ferdinand also insisted he was unperturbed by England manager Roy Hodgson refusal to call him up for the Three Lions' upcoming friendly clash against Brazil.

"England really isn't at the top of my agenda," Ferdinand mused.

"Winning back the Premier League is what I want to do most, more than anything.

"My main concern is Manchester United. The fans, the staff and the manager have been great to me - especially over the period where I was injured - and it's great to be able to reward them by playing well."

Speculation has been rife over Ferdinand's future at United; the 34-year-old was recently offered a one-year extension to his current deal which expires at the end of the season, and the former Leeds United player claims he is fully intent to stay on at Old Trafford.

"Of course I would want to stay, 100 per cent, provided I'm still playing like I am and feeling as good as I am at the moment," Ferdinand added.

"Manchester United is a great club, the No 1, and you would never want to play anywhere else if you can still play for them.

"United will always be in my blood now.

"People were writing me off when I was out injured and saying my career was coming to an end but I know my body and was confident I could get through it.

"I always felt that the more games I played in a row, the better for me - and it's worked out.

"I want to be able to contribute properly and be a player they actually need. You can tell if you're not really needed at a club any more. You just know.

"We are not in discussions about a new contract at the moment and I'm fine with that because of the understanding I have with the manager.

"I don't expect to be treated any different to the other older players like Giggsy or Scholesy, who normally sign on again at the end of the season."

Ferdinand also outlined his hopes and ambitions for United this season and highlighted winning the Premier League as his side's main priority.

"We lost the league and we want to win it back, simple as that," Ferdinand declared.

"It doesn't matter to me that they are our rivals from across the city. Whoever it was, we would want that title back off them. It's more relevant to the fans maybe than it is to us.

"We've fought for titles against Arsenal and Chelsea and Liverpool one year and that's the way it is. Now it happens to be City. It goes in cycles.

"You see a few more City fans hanging about here and there and a few more shirts being worn. It adds to the banter and they have a bit more to say, so there's a bit more rivalry."

United have come under criticism for not playing exciting, attractive football this season, but Ferdinand is adamant that results come before performances and claims his side will be near unbeatable when they reach top form.

"We've never been at our fluid irresistible best in a lot of the games but we've been getting results, which is the difference compared to last season," Ferdinand reflected.

"We played some really good stuff last season but didn't get some of the results we should have.

"If we really start to play well then we are going to be very hard for anyone to beat."

United will take on Fulham in their next Premier League fixture.