Manchester United are to make an improved bid for Arsenal striker Robin van Persie. The Daily Star Sunday says United will this week up their offer to £20million in a bid to finally sign Van Persie.

Last season's PFA Players' and Football Writers' Player of the Year has become such a ­priority for manager Sir Alex ­Ferguson that United are prepared to pay over the odds for the Dutchman, who only has one year left on his contract and is now 29.

United and ­Ferguson are convinced the ­deadly Dutchman wants to join them as they bid to win back their Premier League crown from rivals Manchester City.