Van Persie continuing to set the standard

Robin Van Persie has 19 goals in 25 games for Manchester United.

Even Sir Alex Ferguson may not have anticipated the Dutchman would have made such an immediate impact on his side.

He has scored in 15 of the 25 games in which he has featured, showing an unparalleled influence on games throughout the first half of the season.

When you also factor in goals against Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool it’s fair to say the 29-year-old has been a revelation and integral in United establishing a seven-point lead at the top.

Van Persie finding the back of the net on such a regular basis is a stark contrast to Wayne Rooney's 2012/13 campaign which has been hampered by injury.

Rooney has a respectable 8 goals in 19 games, but those goals have all come in five games. That leaves 14 games in which Rooney has played for United but failed to get his name on the scoresheet. The 27-year-old continues to score goals in bunches – a pattern that has been evident throughout his career.

However, one teammate that has managed to match Van Persie for consistency as of late is Javier Hernandez.

After a difficult second season at Old Trafford, the Mexican looks refreshed and has scored 11 goals in his last 13 appearances.

The main test at a club like United is the constant challenge to your place and Hernandez’s response to the arrival of Van Persie has been exactly what Sir Alex would have hoped for.

Although difficult to ever justify leaving Wayne Rooney out when fit, Hernandez has done everything and more to keep his place.

Rooney will, and should, come straight back into the side when back from injury but Hernandez’s form will have Ferguson again considering adopting the diamond formation, enabling him to play all three of Van Persie, Hernandez and Rooney at a time when his wide players - Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young and Nani -  are not exactly setting the world alight.

The player that is suffering most of all from this is Danny Welbeck, who has more goals for England (3) than for United (1) this season.

It’s maybe not a fair reflection of his contribution as he has been predominantly used as a substitute as well as being forced to play wide due to the form of the other three strikers.

But it is difficult to see Welbeck getting a run in the side in the near future.

Van Persie's arrival has seen to that and if he continues to lead United towards their 20^th league title, the books can be closed early on Player of the Season.

Only a fool would dismiss Wayne Rooney’s importance though. 
When he returns from injury, he will have a big say on whether United can progress to the latter stages of the Champions League as well as maintaining their lead at the top of the league and wrestle the title off their noisy neighbours.