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By IAN LADYMAN and CHRIS WHEELER
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THE REPORTS
Read Ian Ladyman's Manchester City v Stoke match report here, and Chris Wheeler's Wigan v Manchester United report here.
Sir Alex Ferguson agreed that Robin van Persie could be the difference in the Barclays Premier League title race after watching the 'magnificent' Dutchman protect Manchester United's seven-point lead with two more goals against Wigan.
Earlier this week Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini declared that losing out to United in the £24million pursuit of Van Persie last summer could come back to haunt the champions.
And after seeing Van Persie take his league tally to 16 goals in a 4-0 demolition of Wigan, Ferguson said that Mancini - whose side's 3-0 home win over Stoke was soured by news that Sergio Aguero could be out injured for at least two weeks - might be right.
The difference? Robin van Persie scored his 15th and 16th league goals against Wigan on Tuesday
Soured: Manchester City's routine win over Stoke was marred by a hamstring injury to Sergio Aguero
The United manager said: 'We knew we were getting a top player who would make a difference to the team, that's why we went for him. Robin's a completely rounded footballer.
'He has international experience, he's played for Arsenal for seven years and he came to us at the very peak of his career.
'His ability to make and take goals is fantastic.' Ferguson was particularly impressed by Van Persie's first goal just before half-time when he tricked two defenders before curling a shot into the far corner. 'His play was absolutely magnificent,' said Ferguson.
Happy: Sir Alex Ferguson hinted that Roberto Mancini (right) may have been right when he said United's signing of Robin van Persie could be the difference in the race for the Barclays Premier League title
Exquisite: Van Persie was in deadly form at the DW for Ferguson's United
What about me: Javier Hernandez also netted a brace to help condemn Wigan to a 4-0 defeat
'His turn, his balance, no drawback, just side-footed it in. It was a really good goal.'
Javier Hernandez also scored two for United, and Ferguson added: 'He latches on to things. He is brilliant.'
United have picked up 10 points from their four games over the Christmas period and established a clear advantage over City.
Now Ferguson is challenging his players not to slip up like last season when they surrendered an eightpoint lead with six games left. 'Over the years, December has been a good month for us,' he said.
'This time it has put us into a seven-point lead with 17 games left. It's not what I would say is a healthy lead, but it is a lead. It gives us something to kick on with.
In the goals: Edin Dzeko scored another for Manchester City at the Etihad
Spot on: Aguero scored shortly before limping off after David Silva was hauled down by Steven Nzonzi
'We just don't want to make mistakes like we did last year.' City, meanwhile, face an anxious wait to see how long they will be without Aguero, who limped off with a hamstring injury after scoring the third goal against Stoke.
The Argentina striker is expected to miss the FA Cup tie at home to Watford this weekend and the trip to Arsenal in the league on January 13. But City first team coach David Platt suggested that his lay-off may be even longer.
Platt said: 'It's difficult to assess an injury like that for how long it's going to be.
'There are different degrees of hamstring, that's why you need the 48 hours. There will be swelling and bleeding so you need to give it time. It's a blow, but when you have so many games in a short space of time you run the risk of this.'
Another dimension: Wayne Rooney is yet to return from his injury for United
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2255808/Sir-Alex-Ferguson-admits-Robin-van-Persie-difference-title-race-Manchester-United.html#ixzz2Gng9G6gV
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