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With Wayne Rooney out injured for much of the season so far, the Champions League win over Cluj on Tuesday was the first time he and Robin van Persie had started a game together. And two Van Persie goals from Rooney assists suggested exciting times lie ahead. Here, the Daily Mirror’s John Cross explains why he believes this Manchester United forward partnership could be something special.

“I think that combination is potentially the dream ticket. You’ve got Van Persie who has adapted to life – as he did all last season for Arsenal – as the real No9 now – he’s just an out-and-out goalscorer – with great technique and he can feed in other players. And Rooney the hard-working No10, marauding just behind Van Persie and trying to set him up.”

But while John is excited about how the pairing could blossom, he believes Man Utd’s frailties in defence are placing even greater pressure on Van Persie and Rooney. ”The problem at the moment is that United have to score one more than the opposition, because you know they’re going to concede. They look weak at the back.”

Watch the full video discussion by clicking on the play button in the image above.

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