Van will deliver – Edwin

EDWIN van der Sar is certain Robin van Persie will be a big success at Manchester United.

Van Persie turned to his former Dutch international colleague for advice before his summer move from Arsenal.

Van Persie has already had a positive impact, scoring eight times in 11 appearances - including a memorable hat–trick at Southampton in August.

But Van der Sar is confident there is much more to come from the 29 year old, who won last

season's Premier League Golden Boot prize ahead of teammate Wayne Rooney.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson will want Van Persie in top form on Sunday (4pm) when United visit Chelsea in a top–of–the–table Premier League clash.

The Red Devils have not won a domestic game at Stamford Bridge since 2002.



MANCHESTER City defender Joleon Lescott accepts the criticism coming his team's way but believes the situation can change quickly.

City have yet to rediscover the panache that carried them to the Barclays Premier League title last season - and it may already be too late to salvage Champions League hopes.

Roberto Mancini's men began their latest European challenge with greater expectations, but are again facing the prospect of a second successive early elimination after a costly defeat to Ajax in midweek.

City were beaten 3–1 in Amsterdam and are now bottom of Group ‘D’, six points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund and five behind Real Madrid.

Lescott said: "It is one of those things. Last season we were scoring at will and not conceding many goals. It is a slowish start for us this season but we are still in the top three of the Premier League and we are still in with a chance of qualifying for the knock-out stages of the Champions League."

City entertain Swansea in the Premier League tomorrow (5.30pm).



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