The windfall is one of a number of incentives which were written into the former Arsenal man's contract during negotiations over a 24-million-pound move in the summer.

As revealed by Goal.com in August last year, the Manchester club assembled a pay package for the 29-year-old worth £73m, including wages of around £235,000 a week, including image rights-related pay.

The Dutch striker has been in sensational form since moving to Old Trafford, scoring 22 goals in all competitions.

Despite van Persie failing to score, Sir Alex Ferguson's side moved 10 points clear at the top of the table on Saturday evening, as Wayne Rooney clinched a 1-0 win against Fulham.

Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, who also targeted van Persie in the summer, trail in second position, but have a game in hand ahead of their clash with Liverpool on Sunday.