Chris Smalling amazed at Robin van Persie’s start to life at Manchester United

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is amazed at how quickly striker Robin van Persie has adapted to life at Old Trafford.

Van Persie scored his 15th goal in 21 United games with the opener in yesterday’s 3-1 home win over Sunderland.

His start to life in Manchester is on a par with that of countryman Ruud van Nistelrooy, who went on to hit 150 goals in five seasons, and means the  29-year-old has now scored 60 times in his last 72 Premier League games.

For Smalling, the achievement is even more remarkable given Van Persie had barely played a pre-season game before he was pitched into his debut at Everton in August, just 24 hours after completing his £24million move from Arsenal.

‘I saw the finish [for his goal],’ Smalling said. ‘It wasn’t easy to put it in that top corner but he is a quality player.

‘Obviously he only came in the summer and didn’t have much of a pre-season. But he came straight into the matches and has been such a threat.

‘He is putting teams on the back foot and making our job easier at the back.’

Even Sir Alex Ferguson must be slightly taken aback at how well the Dutchman has settled in at Old Trafford, despite the conviction that forced him to abandon an often-repeated need to get value in the transfer market.

‘He has a fantastic record,’ said United boss Ferguson.

‘What you are seeing is a player who has come to his mature years.

‘Experience is counting for him now. He has the knowledge and ability and last season his form was terrific.

‘Even Arsenal, having had him for a few years, were realising what his best position is. We do the same.’