Van Persie: Fans Were 12th Man Against Liverpool

Robin van Persie has paid tribute to the Manchester United fans and claimed their support was indispensable to Sunday’s euphoric 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford.

The Reds avenged last season's home defeat to the Merseysiders via goals from Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and van Persie himself. The triumph was perhaps not as comfortable as the scoreline suggests, however, and David De Gea had to work very hard to maintain his clean sheet with a series of saves that denied Raheem Sterling and Mario Balotelli.

After scoring his fourth goal in as many matches, van Persie was quick to salute the United fans who provided a boisterous atmosphere throughout the match, before tipping his cap towards his defensive team-mates.

"The fans were brilliant today for the whole 90 minutes, so we had 12 men and we needed that at times," Robin told Sky Sports after the final whistle. "It was a very good game, and David [De Gea] was outstanding again.

"I think it's always important to score first in games like this; it gives you an added calmness. I think that while we were sloppy at times, we used the ball well overall.

"Michael Carrick made a big difference at the back; he's so confident on the ball. Phil Jones and Jonny Evans, as well – the whole back five were excellent today.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, van Persie is also claiming some of the credit for Mata's goal, saying: "I have to be honest, I got a touch – so you can put that down as an assist!"