RVP: Rooney Partnership Works

Robin van Persie is delighted to still have Wayne Rooney alongside him at Manchester United following a summer of uncertainty.

Rooney was said to have been pushing for a move away from Old Trafford during the recent transfer window - with Chelsea and Arsenal expressing an interest in his services.

United were, however, able to keep the England international on their books and have seen him open the 2013/14 campaign in fine form - taking his goal tally for the Red Devils onto 200.

Van Persie has also picked up where he left off last season - when he collected the Premier League Golden Boot - and the Dutchman sees his partnership with Rooney going from 'strength to strength'.

Ahead of a derby date with Manchester City on Sunday, he said: "I think everyone can see that Wayne and I want to play together - that we are trying to give the ball to each other.

"For example, the ball that just missed me in the second half against Bayer Leverkusen on - Tuesday night, when it went past me, 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."