Wayne Rooney: Man United’s Robin van Persie one of world’s best goal-scorers

Wayne Rooney has hailed Manchester United striker Robin van Persie as one of the best goal-scorers in the world ahead of the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash against Olympiacos.

The Netherlands international has still managed to score scored 12 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions this season despite enduring an injury-hit campaign.

If we’re both playing then we’ll score goals, that’s for sure

Wayne Rooney

And Rooney reckons he and Van Persie are guaranteed to score goals if United can keep their first-choice strike partnership fit and on the pitch together.

“Robin’s a fantastic player, one of the best goal-scorers in world football,” Rooney said.

“As the manager said, we have a good record when we play together. Unfortunately we had injuries at a similar time this season. Hopefully we can both stay fit and help us win games.”

He added: “If we’re both playing then we’ll score goals, that’s for sure.

“But we also have other forwards who can come in and do a good job. It’s important we play well – then that will help other players around us play well too.”

Olympiacos v Man United: Pre-match facts

• Olympiacos are looking for a third straight home success in the competition after victories over Benfica and Anderlecht.

• United are undefeated on their European travels this term, having drawn at Shakhtar Donetsk and Real Sociedad and beaten Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 – their first five-goal victory in the competition since 1965.

• Shinji Kagawa’s Borussia Dortmund beat Olympiacos 3-1 at home but lost 1-0 away in the 2011-12 group stage.

• United have scored 548 goals in Uefa competition and conceded 297.