Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish says Manchester United won the title this season before the opening game.

He wrote in the Mirror: "The defining moment of this season's title race happened before a ball had even been kicked - when Robin van Persie chose Manchester United over neighbours City.

"He may not have scored many recently, but so many of Van Persie's goals earlier in the season have gone a long way to ­establishing United's 15-point lead over their rivals.

"It's not always the number of goals a player scores that matters, because you can score two or three times in a 5-0 win.

"It's the significant goals, those that win tight games, that matter, and Van Persie has done that on several occasions this season.

"That's been the difference between the clubs."