Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admits Robin van Persie was "lucky" not to be dropped during his poor spell of form earlier this season and says the striker only kept his place up front due to a lack of alternatives.
Van Persie's form was questioned by Van Gaal at the end of November, labelling his performance in the 2-1 win over Arsenal as "very bad," after he made just 13 touches of the ball, with three of those from corners and one from kick off.
The Netherlands striker has since scored three goals in as many games for United, helping the club make it five Premier League wins in a row with both goals in the 2-1 win at Southampton on Monday.
"I am very happy for him," Van Gaal said on the club's official website ahead of Sunday's meeting with rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.
"He didn't play very well [for a short spell], but you have to compare him with other players at that time. He was lucky because [Radamel] Falcao was injured.
"I had to compare him with [Wayne] Rooney and [James] Wilson. With Rooney, I can play a lot of positions. Wilson is a young talent and he has to show himself also in the training sessions."
Van Gaal added: "I have always played with two strikers. And only three or four times with one striker. Maybe he [Robin] was lucky, but I have a lot of confidence in him.
"I have already explained here what I like in a striker. Not only [the ability to] make goals, but to also be an attacking point and to see the third man [to link with when he joins the attack]. Van Persie is one of the best strikers at that."