Rooney was axed after a lacklustre display in United's 1-0 defeat at Everton on Monday and van Persie, signed from Arsenal for £24 million, started up front in place of the England striker.
Van Persie, who made a 22-minute substitute appearance at Everton, was the lone forward in United's attack, with Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa playing just behind the Dutch star.
Source: AFP
Source: AFP