Rio says team spirit has helped RvP

Team spirit has been one of the major factors behind Robin van Persie's hugely impressive debut season to date, according to Rio Ferdinand.

Van Persie has excelled since joining the Reds from Arsenal in the summer and has already netted 19 goals and created numerous others.

The Dutchman himself said after his brace in the 4-0 win at Wigan on New Year's Day that he is part of a "special team” and remarked on how "everybody wants to help each other."

Ferdinand echoed those sentiments, insisting that the bond amongst the squad is second to none.

"It is easy for people to settle in here," he told PA Sport. "We have a great bunch of players and a great squad. There is a fantastic ambience in the squad. It is a great place for players to come to if you are willing to come in, work hard and be a member of the team.

"Robin is an important player. The manager saw something in him and made it his mission to buy him this summer. At the moment, thankfully, he is doing what he came here to do.

"No matter how you win the league, it is always mainly down to a group of players rather than one individual, but currently he is scoring the goals.

"He is not only scoring though, he holds the ball up well and brings others into play. He does a fantastic job. But we are not at the end of the season yet. No medals have been handed out. We don't want to jump about too much. Up to now he hasdone fantastically well, but the job is still there to be done."

United's title challenge has certainly been aided by a positive run of results over the festive period which has seen the Reds stretch the lead over Manchester City to seven points.

"We have had a good period, but we have to continue that in the New Year," added Ferdinand. "It was important for us to get the points on the board - this is always an important part of the year because the games come so thick and fast. You have to use your squad wisely. The manager has done that perfectly in this period. It is nice to finish it off and put the league away for almost two weeks now.

"Last year it was new [to have City as challengers] because it was the first time they had challenged properly and there was a lot of focus on Manchester. But we have to make sure we keep our own house in order, make sure we keep ticking off the games. We don't have to focus on anyone else, just ourselves."