Former Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy has praised striker Robin van Persie for his excellent first season at the club.
Van Persie enjoyed a superb campaign, finding the net 30 times in all competitions for the Old Trafford outfit after joining from Arsenal last August and helping them to the Premier League title.
Van Nistelrooy collected one league winners' medal and also won the FA Cup and League Cup in his time at United, and feels that his compatriot Van Persie is among the best strikers in the world.
He told the club's official website: "Robin made a massive impact in his first season. Right from the beginning. He's been a great signing and it ended with him winning the league.
"He's a very good player in general. He scores the goals but, in nearly every goal that United score, he is a part of it with an assist or something else. He adds so much to the attacking play and will be very proud to win his first Premier League medal.
"I think he is definitely an example of a striker who can play the number nine and number 10 roles together. He puts the goals in and provides a lot and I think, for a player of that quality, it's very rare. He is top class."
Van Persie's arrival at Old Trafford forced Wayne Rooney to fulfil a variety of roles last season, but Van Nistelrooy believes the England international is best when played as a central striker.
"I like him playing further forward really - where he can hurt people," the ex-Real Madrid striker added.
"I know he has shown that he can play in midfield as well. He has great vision of the the game and is a fine passer of the ball as well and, physically can get about the pitch and get stuck in. He was doing that as well but I'd like to see him a bit more up front.
"I saw the game against Real at the Bernabeu and he was on the right but I'd prefer to see him in the centre rather than out wide."
