RVP’s going to get you! Rooney backs Dutch master

Posted Sunday, December 09, 2012 by The Sun

RVP’s going to get you! Rooney backs Dutch master
PAIR OF ACES ... Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney

WAYNE ROONEY is tipping Robin van Persie to show Manchester City what they missed out on at the Etihad today.

The champions confirmed an interest in the Dutchman when it became clear he would be leaving Arsenal in the summer.

But while Roberto Mancini tried to clear a space for RVP on his wage bill, Alex Ferguson nipped in and took him to Old Trafford in a stunning £24million swoop.

And he has made a blistering start to his United career with 13 goals to his name already in just 19 appearances for his new club.

Rooney hopes his strike pal’s big-game experience can help tip the balance as the two sides of Manchester go into battle again.

The England striker said: “Yeah, of course, he can make a difference. He’s an experienced player.

“He’s played in Arsenal-Tottenham derbies before and a lot of internationals — so he will certainly be ready for it. He won’t need us to tell him about it.

“I think he will know all about what it’s going to be like. The North London derby is obviously a big game also. So he’ll be aware of what it is about. If he’s not, then I’m sure he will find out soon enough.”

Rooney believes the two great rivals were well matched last year — with City winning both league matches and ultimately capturing the title on goal difference.

But he points out the Red Devils did beat their noisy neighbours twice last term as well — and have gone on to strengthen their squad with the likes of Van Persie.

The former Everton man said: “They beat us twice in the league but we also beat them twice last season in the Community Shield and FA Cup.

“Obviously they beat us in the main ones, though, so we want to go there and do better than we did last year.

“Robin has been a great player for us — so we are all hoping he can be the difference for us on Sunday.

“But we are all in it together and hoping we can get the three points. We are in a good position in the league and we don’t want to give that up this early.”

With Van Persie becoming United’s No 1 goal-getter, Rooney has been forced to adapt his game and operate in a number of different roles this season.

He insists he has no problem with that and says he is ready to play wherever Old Trafford manager Alex Ferguson asks him in a bid to help United regain the title.

Rooney smiled: “Obviously I’m experiencing it a bit differently. I think I’ve played in every position on the pitch this season. I am enjoying it, it is a different experience and a different step for me. It is something as a footballer I love doing. Who knows, I’ll see where I am on Sunday.”

City’s defence was a cornerstone of their title triumph last year and after a wobbly start to the current campaign they have been back to their miserly best in recent weeks.

Rooney’s England team-mate Joe Hart has conceded just two goals in the last seven league matches — and has let in 10 fewer than United over the season so far.

Yet scoring goals has come easily to the Reds and Rooney is confident they can force their way through Vincent Kompany’s troops this lunchtime. He said: “If we want to win the game, we will have to score goals.

“I’m sure we will work on our team shape and keep ourselves tight. Obviously if we do that, we have the players up front to score goals.

“City’s central midfield is strong but they also leave gaps out wide, so I’m sure Sir Alex and Roberto Mancini will be looking at different ways to capitalise on each team’s weaknesses.”

Fergie was criticised for an overly-cautious approach when City won the vital title showdown at the Etihad at the end of April.

Rooney believes the veteran boss will get it right this time but says United are always at their best when they go and attack their opponents.

He said: “How positive we will be is for the manager to answer.

“I think our strength is getting wingers on the pitch, getting the ball out wide and attacking and crossing into the box. That’s obviously the way United have played for years, so it is one of our strengths.

“But we are all excited about the game. Hopefully, we can go there and do better than we did last year.”