Former Arsenal star Paul Merson says Manchester United striker Robin van Persie should be named Player of the Year.

Merson wrote in the Daily Star Sunday: "Robin van Persie is the player of the year. There is no doubt about it.

"Why do I say that? Simple - because he has won the league for Manchester United. His goals have been the difference between them and the rest.

"Gareth Bale may be on fire right now, but you have to look at the bigger picture.

"That's the trouble with these awards. When the ballot arrives, you get blinded by what's happening now.

"It's too easy to be watching Bale stick two in the top corner from 30 yards in the live game on TV and think, 'Oh, I'll vote for him'. I mean, who really remembers what happened in October? They should send the ballots out every month, so that you vote each month, and then add up the totals at the end. That would be fairer."