• Premier League

Rooney: Van Persie will help Utd reach peak

Richard Jolly, ESPNFC
September 8, 2012
Wayne Rooney is enthusiastic about the signing of Robin van Persie © Getty Images
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Wayne Rooney believes Robin van Persie will bring the best out of Manchester United's other forwards by forcing them to fight for their places.

The Dutchman has scored four goals in two starts since leaving Arsenal in a £24 million move.

And, before coming on and getting injured, Rooney was left on the bench when Van Persie struck on his home debut against Fulham.

The duo were the two top scorers in the Premier League last season but, rather than assuming they will be paired, Rooney said that he is not guaranteed to start when he is fit again.

"For us as forwards, we need to make sure that when we play, we play well to stay in the team," he said, speaking on Sky Sports to promote his book My Decade In The Premier League. "It's great for Manchester United and I'm sure that will bring the best out of us."

Rooney was particularly impressed by the way Van Persie has been converted from a creative player into a prolific goalscorer.

Van Persie scored 37 goals last season and 89 in his final four years at Arsenal, compared to 43 in the previous four.

"Everyone knows he is a world class player," he added. "He's got great experience and now the way he plays, he scores more goals whereas in the first four or five years at Arsenal he played in behind a striker or out wide and now he has adapted his game which he has done incredibly so for the forwards in the side it is fantastic."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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