RVP's Class Is Permanent

While all the talk ahead of Manchester United's trip to Southampton centred around an all-Dutch touchline tussle between Ronald Koeman and Louis van Gaal, there was a certain irony about Robin van Persie stealing the headlines on Monday night.

The striker's clinical finishes at St. Mary's proved not only to be the difference between the sides, but also the return to form of one of the world's most technically-gifted players.

Van Persie's goals - his fifth and sixth against the Saints since joining United in 2012 - were exactly what van Gaal's side required on an evening when opportunities were few and far between.

The Reds boss had alluded to a lack of confidence in van Persie's displays in recent weeks, but the forward showed awareness and calmness in equal measure on 12 minutes, capitalising on a poor backpass by Jose Fonte to slide the ball under Fraser Forster and give his side the lead.

His second, another well-executed finish from close range, was enough to ensure that not only would United move up to third, but that all three points would be coming back to Old Trafford ahead of Sunday's massive clash with Liverpool.

There was also an intensity about the Dutchman's play that was particularly satisfying. Roaring into tackles, as he put in a great shift, he was clearly the Reds' outstanding player and worked extremely hard to defend from the front. Something else that catches the eye when watching him from close quarters is his remarkable ability to keep the ball in the face of some stern challenges.

By shielding it with expert technique, he is virtually impossible to knock out of his stride without committing an obvious foul. When Saido Mane resorted to such measures in the dying seconds, launching into a terrible tackle, it felt like the job was done. The clock continued to tick down and the long trip to the South Coast had proved worthwhile.

Notably, van Persie's sublime header for Holland against Spain during this summer's World Cup has been nominated for FIFA's Goal of the Year award. While neither of Monday's strikes are likely to receive similar acclaim, they were undoubtedly worth their weight in gold, something which can be said of the man himself.

"I had a feeling something was coming," the Dutchman told MUTV after the game. With another win in the bag, the feeling is mutual - and let's hope Liverpool are on the receiving end at the weekend.