Van Persie praises complete Rooney

Wayne Rooney's starring role in Manchester United FC's 4-2 victory over Bayer 04 Leverkusen earned him not just a standing ovation from the Old Trafford crowd but also high praise from strike partner Robin van Persie, who declared that the England forward has a complete game.

The Dutchman declared that Rooney has "a bit of everything" after the England forward scored twice to reach the 200-mark in a United shirt. "I love to play with him," added Van Persie, who got United's second goal as David Moyes enjoyed a winning start in the UEFA Champions League. As for Leverkusen, captain Simon Rolfes admitted too much went wrong on the night for the Bundesliga side for them to come away with anything.

Robin van Persie, United forward
[Rooney] played really well. I love to play with him, he has a bit of everything. He can drop, he can go behind, he can play the short game, longer game. I love to play with Wayne, I thought he played really well.

[Marouane Fellaini] played really solid defensively, he gets a lot of balls back. On the ball he is very confident and tries to play forward so well done to him. [David Moyes] was just doing his normal preparation as he always does. Leverkusen have a decent side, we knew that, we'd watched them on video so we knew what to expect and we did well. It was a good game and when we had the ball we were confident. Everything starts with being confident on the ball and trying to look for that pass to the front.

Chris Smalling, United defender
In that second half we really kicked on. Sometimes we can drop off but we went out and really punished them with those goals. It is what we've been missing, our play has been very good in near enough all the games, we've just missing the goals and tonight the front three really put them to the sword. [Leverkusen] are doing well in their league so it's a good start.

Antonio Valencia, United midfielder
I'm happy to have scored and got an assist but above all because we got the three points and because of the football we played today. I'm over the injury I had, I had a problem for the whole of last season but I'm feeling better now and enjoying my football.

Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen midfielder
The positive is we scored twice; it is not so easy here in Manchester to do that. We lost 4-2 and the United goals were a bit unlucky for us – it was too easy for them. We are not happy with the result and can improve a lot in our play. Perhaps in the game against them in Leverkusen it'll be better.

[After his equalising goal] we got more confidence in our play but then, four or five minutes later, Van Persie scored. If you want to win here or get a draw, a lot of things have to be perfect and it wasn't like that. After the third goal the game was done. Against Real Sociedad [on matchday two], they're a good team but we have to win at home; we have to play with more confidence and possession. Our style of play is to have more of the ball and not just defend like today. United did well: they were aggressive and well organised, but we knew that already.