Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs admits Robin van Persie offers them the necessary touch of class needed to sustain a title assault.

Van Persie's late winner at the Etihad Stadium made it 14 goals for United since they beat Manchester City to sign him for £24million from Arsenal in the summer.

And Giggs believes the Dutchman could make all the difference in United's bid to reclaim the title from their neighbours.

"He's one that we are glad to have," he said. "He's not surprised me because I knew that, at 29, he was a ready-made, experienced world-class player.

"He just has that bit of class that can make a difference - like it did on Sunday and in other games.

"You see it in training, you see it in games, he's just a brilliant player.

"The way we performed at City should give us a boost. The squad is looking good. Nemanja Vidic is coming back, our captain. Everything is in place for the busy Christmas period."