'Every single touch was the right one': Robin van Persie revels in wonder goal

Van Persie ended up with a brace to take his overall tally to 19 as United remained seven points clear of nearest rivals Manchester City.

But while his latter effort was a tap-in provided by Danny Welbeck, his first was brilliant as he collected Javier Hernandez's pass, stepped outside Ivan Ramis, then inside the hapless defender before curling expertly past Ali Al Habsi with his supposedly weaker right foot.

"It was a good goal because every single touch was the right one," he said.

"The first one was a little behind me and I had to drag it onto my left foot.

"Then I waited for the guy to slide in, had a good touch inside and then a quick finish. Three touches but all good touches."

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has already identified Van Persie as the likely difference in this season's championship battle.

The 29-year-old could hardly have enjoyed a smoother start to life at Old Trafford.

However, the Dutchman insists it would not have been possible without the help of his team-mates, with Hernandez sharing top billing yesterday with a double of his own.

"This is a special team," said Van Persie. "Everybody wants to help each other. Everybody's keen for everyone to score.

"Defenders are working their socks off for the midfielders, the midfielders are working for the strikers. Everybody wants to run and everybody has one target in their mind."

In such circumstances, it is understandable why Ferguson might want to hang around a bit longer as he indicated in an interview with the Abu Dhabi Sports channel.

"I'm hoping to stay on for a bit of time," he said.

Enough time to see his £24million investment reap handsome dividends.

"We knew we were getting a top player who would make a difference to the team," said Ferguson. "That is why we went for him.

"Robin is a completely rounded footballer. He has great 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.

"His play for his first goal was absolutely magnificent, his turn, his balance, no drawback, just side footed it in. It was a really good goal."

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez conceded his team were beaten by the better side, with the Latics lacking sufficient strength in depth to cope with a run of four games in 11 days.

"We didn't have the legs or the reaction and you have to congratulate Manchester United," he said.

"They had the luxury of making changes and Van Persie and Hernandez looked brighter and sharper. In the end it was a mismatch."

PA