I’m in the shape of my life, declares Man United’s Robin van Persie

Robin van Persie believes that his electric form over the last 18 months is down to the Manchester United striker being “super-fit”.

The Netherlands forward currently tops the Premier League goal-scoring charts with 18 strikes to his name, having netted 22 in all competitions for the Red Devils so far this term.

And the 29-year-old is convinced that his stunning run of form is down to his fitness level, which he believes is better than ever.

“I am on a streak of matches and goals that has never happened to me before and it is all down to my fitness,” Van Persie told the Daily Mirror.

“My bodyweight used to always be around 77 kilos. Now I weigh 81 kilos. That is a difference of more than eight pounds – and it is all pure muscle.

“I haven’t been spending more time in the gym lifting weights. I have got myself super-fit and as a result I am both heavier and stronger.

“It means I am stronger in battles with defenders, but I also feel like I am in the best condition of my life. I also recover faster. The week before last, I played on Wednesday and Saturday.”