The 29-year-old Dutchman switched from Arsenal in the summer and leads the Premier League scoring charts with 17 goals so far, including a strike against rivals Liverpool last time out.

However, the United manager refutes claims that his team are over-reliant on van Persie, who has also contributed six assists in his 22 appearances, saying that other players are also carrying their weight.

"I don't go along with the idea we have become a one-man team," Sir Alex told Inside United.

"There was a time in our history when one man did carry us for a while. Eric Cantona kept us in contention with his goals when a few others were off the boil but things are quite different now.

"Chicharito has weighed in with 12 goals while Wayne Rooney is currently on nine.

"Two defenders, Jonny Evans and Patrice Evra, have chipped in with eight between them so it doesn't stand up to see us as a one-man team overly dependent on van Persie, brilliant as he has been at both making and taking goals.

"He is absolutely relishing his new challenge. He is the right player at the right club at the right time.

"He has a winning mentality but, as he points out, it is one that goes right through the squad and one that will hopefully see us push on in both the league and the cups and successfully navigate what is a busy and challenging period."

United face Tottenham on Sunday in the Premier League before matches against Southampton, Fulham and Everton.

The first leg of their mouth-watering Champions League tie against Real Madrid is on February 13.