Manchester United win 20th league title

Manchester United fans

Manchester United go in to Monday's Premier League game against Aston Villa 13-points clear of closest title rivals Manchester City, knowing that victory will be enough for them to seal the title

Robin van Persie settles any nerves with an opening goal after 83 seconds. The move is started by Wayne Rooney and ends with Ryan Giggs knocking Antonio Valencia's cross into the path of the Dutchman, who converts from two yards out

The air of expectation at Old Trafford is clear, with United needing a win against struggling Villa to secure the Premier League title with four games to spare

In the 13th minute Rooney finds Van Persie on the edge of the area and the striker guides a first-time left-foot volley past Villa keeper Brad Guzan to double United's advantage and get the party started early

Van Persie completes a first-half hat-trick as United stroll to a 3-0 victory that sees Ryan Giggs pick up his 13th league winners' medal. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says about Giggs: "Deary me, he is a freak, a unique freak. A phenomenal man"

On Van Persie's contribution, following his £24m move from Arsenal last summer, Ferguson adds: "I remember Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger saying to me 'he's better than you think' when we concluded the deal. He was right"

Earlier this season, Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini said his failure to buy Van Persie was the difference between the two teams in the title race. The Dutchman is currently the Premier League's top goal scorer with 24 goals

United secure their 20th title with four games remaining - last season's title race went down to the final seconds with Sergio Aguero's last-gasp winner clinching Manchester City's first league championship since the 1967-68 campaign

The Old Trafford faithful celebrate bringing the league trophy back to the red side of Manchester after one season at City's Etihad Stadium

Like Giggs, Sir Alex Ferguson will also collect his 13th Premier League title with United. They are 16 points clear of nearest rivals City and could finish the campaign with a record-breaking 96, beating the Premier League points total of 95 set by Jose Mourinho's Chelsea in 2004-05

Van Persie's squad number provides a fitting image for the evening on which United win their 20th league title. The Red Devils picked up their first in the 1907-1908 season

United boss Ferguson is in bullish mood after the game, praising some of his younger players such as Phil Jones who he rates as "one of the best players we have ever had"

United's latest league triumph is their 13th title in 21 seasons and 71-year-old boss Ferguson says his current squad is arguably one of the best from his 26-year reign at Old Trafford

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