Ferguson offers striking advice ahead of derby

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Alex Ferguson has some basic advice for misfiring striker Robin van Persie ahead of the Manchester derby — don't tap the ball, batter it.

After a superb start to his first season at United, Van Persie has gone nine games without a goal to allow Luis Suarez to become the Premier League's top scorer.

Ferguson isn't ready to rest the Netherlands international but has offered some advice passed down through his family, having been a striker himself in the 1950s and '60s.

He said Thursday that "you have to get through (dry spells) . My dad always used to say make sure you batter the ball when you're in there, don't tap it or try and side-foot the ball in the net, batter it! That's what I always tell strikers."