Robin van Persie is Man Utd’s own Lionel Messi – Martin O’Neill

ROBIN VAN PERSIE is getting used to compliments in the light of his sensational start at Manchester United — but how about this one.

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill reckons the £22million striker is the Red Devils’ answer to Barcelona mega-star Lionel Messi.

It doesn’t get much better than that — but then things could hardly be going any better for the former Arsenal skipper at his new club.

His opener against the Black Cats was his 15th goal already for United — but he is also becoming something of a talisman for them.

Worryingly for Manchester City and other title hopefuls, Alex Ferguson believes his other players are still getting used to RVP.

Yet O’Neill says he is giving United the kind of edge which Barcelona have had for years thanks to Messi.

The Black Cats chief said: “With players of the calibre of Van Persie in your side, you always have a chance of winning football matches.

“Would, for instance, Barcelona have the same effect if Lionel Messi didn’t play?

“The number of goals Messi has scored is incredible. They are a very talented team but without him, you don’t know, because Messi is their talisman. Honestly, Van Persie can get goals out of very little. It looks like nothing is happening and you have players there in the area. But all of a sudden he has opened up a gap.”

We are not halfway through the season but already RVP is making a crucial difference for United in the title race.

And O’Neill believes winning the race for the Dutchman’s signature — ahead of rivals City — was a significant blow.

He added: “You always felt that United would give themselves a big edge by getting Van Persie.

“He was a great purchase. It means Manchester United are capable of scoring goals because Wayne Rooney is a top quality player as well.

“We are making judgments before Christmas here — but if Van Persie stays fit, that will make a massive difference to United’s challenge. They have a great chance of winning the league.

“United have paid close on £30million for a player who had just one year left on his contract, so that might tell you how valuable they perceive him to be.

“But it’s not just the perception, the reality is that he has been fantastic so far.”

The signs are RVP and Wayne Rooney are forging an understanding and that’s good news for all at United — except Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez.

O’Neill said: “Van Persie and Rooney are linking up and keeping some excellent players out of the team — and they really are excellent players.

“When you have teams like United, they can have a ten to 15 minute period when you think nothing has happened, but they can then conjure something.

“That’s what makes them what they are — the fact they can score goals from positions and situations when you think nothing can happen.” And that’s pretty much what happened on Saturday. Buoyed by their last-gasp derby win over City last weekend, United pretty much had this game killed off within the first 20 minutes.

Former Old Trafford favourite John O’Shea failed to deal with Ashley Young’s cross and Van Persie punished him on 16 minutes. Less than four minutes later, Tom Cleverley then linked up brilliantly with Michael Carrick before curling a fine effort beyond Simon Mignolet and into the corner.

The only surprise was that there was just one more goal as RVP superbly set up Rooney to continue his recent goal-scoring run — after the England man had previously missed a couple of sitters.

United knew their job was done but — much to the annoyance of Ferguson - they switched off allowing sub Fraizer Campbell to pull one back as the visitors threatened to make a game of it.

But they didn’t and, with 10 wins in their last 11 league matches, the Red Devils are beginning to look ominous going into the busy Christmas period. They will now definitely be top on Christmas Day and boss Ferguson pointed to the emergence of Tom Cleverley as a key reason for their success.

Fergie said: “People keep saying we are weak in midfield but I’ve got some very good players in those positions.

“Sometimes it gives me a little problem selecting the right two — although today was simple because Carrick and Cleverley deserved to play after their performance against City last week.”

Cleverley is making an impact in the Paul Scholes role, with Fergie admitting he should be scoring more often after taking his overall United tally to three.

Fergie said: “Tom has goals in him. As a younger player he always had a goal in him. He has got me three this season and I really do expect more from him because he is a nice finisher.”

If United needed a further boost, they got it midway through the second half as skipper Nemanja Vidic returned from his latest knee problem.

The Serbian centre-back has made just 14 appearances since August 2011 and Fergie knows what a vital contribution he could make in the months ahead.

The United boss said: “It will take him a bit of time but that is a start. He is a warrior and he is our captain. He always battles for you and sticks his head on that ball in the penalty area. That is what he is great at.”

And fellow defender Phil Jones added: “It’s a fantastic boost for us to have Nemanja back. He’s a fantastic player, a great captain and it’s important he’s back for the busy festive period.

“I enjoy the competition for places, it’s great to have a number of players battling for the same position.

“It keeps people on their toes and keeps us fighting for the shirt.

“We see it in training — the sessions are intense, there’s a good atmosphere.”