ROBIN VAN PERSIE admits he likes to whistle while he works because he has settled in so quickly to life at Manchester United.
The Dutch striker has hit the right notes ever since he arrived at Old Trafford in the summer and has already bagged 22 goals for the Premier League leaders.
RVP says he has felt in tune with his new team-mates and surroundings ever since he made the controversial £22million switch from Arsenal.
He said: âItâs gone as well as Iâve expected it to go.
âI go into work every day whistling â as from the first day theyâve made me feel welcome.
âThe boys made me feel right at home. Training is really good and I see things Iâve not seen in a long time.
âIt is a very pleasant environment to work in.
âEvery day I work on new things. I have become alert to small details that make me better.â
As yet, there have been no sign of the injuries which wrecked so many of his seasons with the Gunners and he feels in great shape going into the final third of the season.
That is bad news for reigning champions Manchester City, who are nine points adrift of their local rivals.
Van Persie, 29, added: âThis run of games without getting injured has only made me stronger.
âBut I donât want to talk about it, touch wood. I feel better and fitter. Really fit.
âIn the last week I played Wednesday and Saturday.
âIn those games I played with ease. I feel fit and recover quickly as lightning.â
United face Jose Mourinhoâs Real Madrid away next Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash.
RVP said: âThe match against Madrid is the icing on the cake for every footballer.
âIt will be my first game at the Bernabeu â and Iâm really looking forward to it.
âIt will be a very nice challenge with the group of players we have.
âManchester United are a big club and being in the last 16 is already beautiful even without the prospect of playing Real Madrid.â
Dutch ace RVP says his clinical scoring exploits this season are partly thanks to compatriot Rene Meulensteen.
He feels the United first-team coach has helped him big time thanks to his innovative training methods and meticulous planning.
RVP added: âThe way he trains is refreshing. He is truly one of the best coaches in the world.
âIâve had a lot of good trainers, but itâs the way he prepares our team for games.
âEvery match is different so every training session in build-up is unique.
âWe know exactly what to expect. He wins points for us through his training.
âWeâve won a lot of games by the odd goal â they are point winners.
âConsider the game against Chelsea. I scored after a low cross from Antonio Valencia on the right.
âIt might seem like a fluke, but the whole week before the game was spent working on that move.
âAnother example is my goal against Wigan when I cut the ball inside and shot with my right foot â again this was a situation we trained on.â
Van Persie is in the Holland squad for tonightâs friendly with Italy at the Amsterdam ArenA.
He could line-up alongside Swanseaâs Jonathan de Guzman who is set to win his first cap.
De Guzman said: âThe call-up is a bonus. Iâve only just joined the team â now I have to show what I can do.â
The match could see RVP and Mario Balotelli come face-to-face again.
Balotelli scored twice for Milan against Udinese on his debut at the weekend after his switch from Manchester City last week.
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I hope he wins the player of the year award, he's been class for us this season, he hasn't scored for us in a couple of games but that clearance at Fulham last saturday could turn out to be important in the title race.
