Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says Robin van Persie's massive impact hasn't been restricted to the pitch.

It is Van Persie's character, in addition to his unquestioned ability, that has helped him thrive at United, according to Ferguson. At Old Trafford, the pressure to win is greater than nearly anywhere else and, therefore, the camaraderie among players has to be paramount.

"There is a clip of Arsenal in the Champions League when the boy [Kieran] Gibbs slipped and cost them a goal," says the United manager. "The only Arsenal player who went up to Gibbs was Van Persie, he put his arm round his shoulder - and I think he's the same with us.

"He has that influence on the young players here. He lives the right way, he trains the right way. He lives his life in the right way. It took him three or four months to get his personality into the training sessions, but it's there now."