Manchester United have been crowned Barclays Premier League champions for season 2012/13.
Sir Alex Ferguson's secured their 20th league title with a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford tonight thanks to a hat-trick from Robin van Persie.
The Dutchman opened the scoring in just the second minute when he fired beyond Brad Guzan from Ryan Giggs' pulled back pass before hammering home a contender for the Goal of the Year just over ten minutes later.
van Persie got on the end of a beautiful long range pass from Wayne Rooney to score with a stunning first-time volley to make it 2-0 before completing the rout just after the half-hour mark when finishing from close range for his 25th goal of the season, taking him past Luis Suarez on top of the scoring charts.
United now sit 16 points ahead of neighbours Manchester City who have five matches remaining and have absolutely no chance of defending their title, which will now sit in the famed Old Trafford trophy cabinet.
The Red Devils will receive the BPL trophy at their last home match of the season which is on Sunday, 12 May against Swansea City.
