Manchester United manager David Moyes has insisted that Wayne Rooney's position in the team will be in a forward role in the hope of creating a deadly partnership with Robin van Persie.

The 27-year-old, who was linked with a move to Chelsea during the summer transfer window, played a deeper role on some occasions under Sir Alex Ferguson last season, but the England international was said to be unhappy in that position.

However, after watching Rooney score in United's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, Moyes has insisted that he will remain an attacking threat.

"The hope is that we get a partnership where folk are saying, 'My goodness we are having to play against Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney'," Goal.com quotes Moyes as saying.

"I can only see Wayne playing up top and playing as a forward for us. He has scored a lot of goals. It was down last year. But to be successful you need to have people who can score you 20 goals."

The Premier League champions are currently fifth in the table after four games into the season.