Robin van Persie scored two vital goals in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Southampton on Monday night.

After struggling for form this season, despite the important injury time goal against Chelsea and fantastic strike against Hull last week, the goals against Southampton showed possible signs of him being back to his best.

Van Persie won’t take all of the credit for himself though, and has sung the praises of the defence who managed to hold out for the win.

“In these games, it is a quality to bring it (the victory) over the line,” he said. “After my second goal, we still had to play 25 minutes against a very good side. You know they will get chances because they’re a good team, but we did well. We had a fantastic ‘keeper, a great back four – or five – today and I think we did ever so well.”

United face Liverpool on Sunday, who failed to get out of the group stages of the Champions League last night and who currently sit 9th in the table, ahead of 10th placed Tottenham Hotspur on goal difference.

“The next game is Liverpool, so we’re looking forward to that,” he said. “We are really happy that we are on the way up now. We have to keep the momentum going.”