• Premier League

Van Persie embraces Rooney partnership

Robin van Persie has sought to end speculation about a feud with Wayne Rooney, insisting their partnership is beginning to catch fire again for Manchester United.

Rooney was seemingly on his way out of Old Trafford during the summer, with Chelsea the most eager pursuers, but the transfer window closed with him still at the club under new manager David Moyes.

Speculation has continued over both Rooney's future - with PSG captain Thiago Silva the latest to voice his opinion - and his relationships with team-mates, particularly strike partner Van Persie.

However, the Dutchman has moved to end talk once and for all ahead of this afternoon's derby against Manchester City.

"I think everyone can see that Wayne and I want to play together - that we are trying to give the ball to each other," he said.

"For example, the ball that just missed me in the second half against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night, when it went past me, it came because he wanted to pass to me.

"He wasn't trying to score himself. And that works both ways. I really think if we can keep on growing, keep on passing to each other, we can both end up with a lot of goals this season.

"I am very pleased with my partnership with him - we love to play together, you know. I think we are similar players in the way that we are all-round - we can both drop back and go in behind.

"We both have a pass in us - which is what I love. I love to play with Wayne because for me he has it all.

"As long as we can combine that really well, as long as we work together and try to improve - which we are doing - I think we can go from strength to strength.

"The way I see it, we just want to score a lot together. And that applies to everyone - not only Wayne and me.

"Last year, I don't think our wingers scored enough. Hopefully, we can get more from them, which would be really helpful for everyone.

"So it doesn't only come from Wayne and me but we threaten on all sides. Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick need to add to that, too, from corners, free-kicks, whatever."

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