885682 280 preview?ITEM ENT ID885682&ampITEM VERSION2&ampCOLLSPEC ENT ID10&ampFILE SERVICE CONF ID280 - Evra: RVP is like Van Nistelrooy
Van Persie has already scored ten goals in all competitions for the Red Devils with his latest coming against former club Arsenal over the weekend. The Dutch striker scored with a long-range shot from outside the box after pouncing on an uncharacteristically poor clearance by Thomas Vermaelen. United eventually won the game 2-1 and Patrice Evra and Santi Cazorla also managed to get on the scoresheet on the day.
But the striker still has some way to go before he can eclipse a certain Ruud Van Nistelrooy's achievements at Old Trafford. Van Nistelrooy scored 95 goals from 150 Premier League appearances and regularly terrorised opposition defences with his ability to spring the offside trap and score with a remarkable heading ability.
Van Nistelrooy helped United win a Premier League title as well as win the FA Cup before departing for Real Madrid in 2006. He also played for Hamburg and Malaga and only recently decided to call an end to his playing days in May.
And Evra believes that Van Persie is similar to the former Dutch United great and tips their current leading goalscorer to similarly write his name in the annals of the club's history.
"People can now see that Robin is strong mentally. He seems like he has played for us for many years and he reminds me of Ruud van Nistelrooy," Evra was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
"I hope he can keep going because he can be one of the best, just like Ruud.
"I played with Ruud when I signed for United and I remember what a great player he was.
"They are both Dutch but it’s more than that. They have the same class and touch when you pass the ball to them.
"(Robin) has started so well and I just hope he can keep going because, at United, you have to do that in every game."
Both Evra and Rio Ferdinand were impressed by the manner in which Van Persie treated fans of his former side in Saturday's game.
"Everyone knows what a great player he was at Arsenal, but it is never easy to play against your old team-mates," Evra commented.
And Ferdinand added, "These games go one of two ways against your old club. You either get a goal, play well and win or have an absolute beast, get sent off and lose.
"It was good to see Robin get on the scoresheet. He is a natural goalscorer and long may that continue. He showed a bit more class not celebrating than their fans showed to him."
Van Persie could get a chance to add to his tally when United play Braga in the Champions League on Wednesday.