Van Persie taking lessons from Rio

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has revealed how Rio Ferdinand has inspired him towards the Premier League title this season.

Van Persie has not won a trophy since Arsenal’s FA Cup win in 2005, while Ferdinand was forced to wait until he was 24 before he first won the title with Manchester United in 2003.

“Not winning a trophy has caused me a lot of pain. With Rio I spoke about the length of time I have been without winning a trophy. Rio said he knew how I felt. It took him a similar period before he started winning things,” Van Persie told the Daily Mirror.

“He told me it drove him bonkers at times. Then he said: ‘Once you’ve got that first big trophy in your hands, Robin, you get the taste of winning. That is the moment you want to keep going and keep winning titles. You want lots more in your career’.”

With Manchester United now sitting 15 points clear at the top, a Premier League title appears imminent and Van Persie insisted he will be hungry to secure more silverware.

“Rio also told me that once I win that first league title, I won’t settle for less,” Van Persie said.

“Anything less will not be good enough. Rio had to wait for a long time in his career and look what he’s won since.”