Rooney: Van Persie would be great addition

Wayne Rooney believes Arsenal striker Robin van Persie would be a great addition to the squad if he joined him at Manchester United.

United are leading the race to sign the Dutch international and Rooney would welcome him at Old Trafford.

"Of course he's a player that I admire," Rooney said in the Daily Mirror.

"He's a fantastic player. He's been amazing for Arsenal over many years. Last season was probably his best season of all. He scored a lot of goals.

"If he does come here he would be a great addition to the squad."

Asked if he and van Persie could play together, Rooney added: "I'd like to think so - but you'd have to ask the manager about that.

"There's a lot of forwards here already with myself, [Danny] Welbeck, Chicharito and [Dimitar] Berbatov, who's still here.

"So there's a lot of forwards fighting for a place."