Partners in crime ... Robin van Persie relishing working with Wayne Rooney. Source: AFP
Robin van Persie issued a warning to Portuguese minnows Braga as the Manchester United forward claimed his partnership with Wayne Rooney is finally beginning to live up to expectations.
Braga have the daunting task of trying to subdue two of Europe's finest frontmen when they visit Old Trafford on Tuesday's (EDT) for the UEFA Champions League Group H clash.
United have started promisingly in the competition with a maximum six points from six - as they seek to exorcise the demons of last year's embarrassing early exit.
To make matters worse for Braga, van Persie, who has eight goals in 10 appearances for United, believes his understanding with Rooney has gradually clicked into gear after a slow start to the Barclays Premier League following his pre-season move from Arsenal.
Van Persie's lack of match practice and an injury to Rooney meant the pair have played together only fleetingly in the opening weeks of the season.
They are finally getting some prolonged time on the pitch to work on their relationship and the response has been impressive, as Stoke found out on Saturday when Rooney scored twice and van Persie also netted in a 4-2 win.
| P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 22 |
| 2 | Man United | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 18 |
| 3 | Man City | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 18 |
| 4 | Everton | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 15 |
| 5 | Tottenham | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 14 |
| 6 | West Brom | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 14 |
| 7 | West Ham | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 14 |
| 8 | Fulham | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 13 |
| 9 | Arsenal | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 12 |
| 10 | Swansea | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 11 |
| 11 | Newcastle | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | -3 | 10 |
| 12 | Liverpool | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -2 | 9 |
| 13 | Stoke | 8 | 1 | 5 | 2 | -1 | 8 |
| 14 | Sunderland | 7 | 1 | 5 | 1 | -2 | 8 |
| 15 | Norwich | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -11 | 6 |
| 16 | Wigan | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -7 | 5 |
| 17 | Aston Villa | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -7 | 5 |
| 18 | Southampton | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -11 | 4 |
| 19 | Reading | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | -6 | 3 |
| 20 | QPR | 8 | 0 | 3 | 5 | -10 | 3 |
The deadly duo were also responsible for three of the four assists against Stoke and Braga's defenders could have been forgiven for cursing their luck as van Persie described the rapid development of United's strikeforce.
"We are definitely getting more of an understanding," Van Persie said. "We like to play together and work well together.
"It is only the second or third time we have played in this formation but offensively and defensively, we help each other out."
With Danny Welbeck also a growing threat up front and Javier Hernandez, Nani, Shinji Kagawa and Ashley Young also offering their own attacking menace, it is no surprise van Persie expects United to produce a glut of goals as the season continues.
Defending champions Chelsea face Ukrainian opposition - in the form of high-flying Shakhtar Donetsk - for the first time as the third round Champions League match.
Roberto di Matteo's side face in-form opposition with Shakhtar having won all 12 league matches this campaign as well as earning a creditable point at Group E rivals Juventus three weeks ago.
John Terry could return from his domestic suspension, three days after Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck confirmed the former England defender would retain the captaincy following the fallout from the Anton Ferdinand racism case.
Shakhtar have history on their side -- unbeaten in four home ties against English opposition -- but Chelsea are on a formidable run of their own having gone eight matches without defeat in Europe's elite club competition.
Celtic, Britain's third representative in action on Tuesday, face a daunting trip to Catalonia for their Group G clash against Barcelona.
Neil Lennon's charges ended a run of 20 Champions League away matches without victory when they defeated Spartak Moscow 3-2 at the start of the month.
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