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Robin van Persie implores Man United strike partner Wayne Rooney to stay
MANCHESTER UNITED forward Robin van Persie has urged Wayne Rooney not to leave Old Trafford this summer.
Rooney's future with the Premier League champions has been the subject of frenzied speculation and has been heavily linked to Chelsea.
The Blues have already seen two bids - the latest of which was a £25m bid plus add-ons.
Though Rooney's future remains unclear, van Persie said he joined United to team up with the 27-year-old.
"Everyone wants Wayne to stay and deep down I think he feels the same," van Persie told a national paper.
"One of the reasons I joined Manchester United was to play with Wayne.
"I hope he stays. Not only is he a great goalscorer, he does so much work across the pitch.
"He hates to lose and that's why you see him one minute pressing for goal, the next minute defending ferociously. He is an asset to any team."
Rooney missed United's 2-0 Community Shield win over Wigan.