Striker Romelu Lukaku eager to start for Chelsea against Manchester United

Two of the Premier League title favourites meet at Old Trafford on Monday

Romelu Lukaku in action on Chelsea's pre-season tour of Asia (GETTY IMAGES)

Rio Ferdinand believes Robin van Persie is out to prove he is no one-season wonder for Manchester United.

Van Persie assumed star man status at United last season, firing home the goals that led to a 20th league championship for the Red Devils.

The 30-year-old's 26-goal contribution to the cause in his first campaign at Old Trafford led to the former Arsenal man being crowned the Premier League's Golden Boot winner for the second season running.

And Van Persie has already had an impact this term, following up his match-winning double in the Community Shield against Wigan by scoring twice in Saturday's win at Swansea.

Speaking ahead of Monday's mouthwatering home clash with championship rivals Chelsea, Ferdinand has highlighted why he feels it is just the start.

"Robin doesn't want to be remembered as a one-season wonder," said the experienced central defender.

"He doesn't want people to think about him as just coming here, doing well in that one season but not being able to continue.

"He wants to do it over a number of years. He is on course to be remembered in that way."

Ferdinand certainly senses an additional determination in Van Persie.

The Dutchman was so obviously delighted his gamble of leaving Arsenal to join United last summer paid off with his first Premier League winner's medal.

And, like so many of his United team-mates, having got the taste for medals, he has no wish to lose it.

"Robin is not a short-term kind of guy," said Ferdinand.

"It is all long-term for him. There is a thought process behind everything he does.

"It is all geared towards him being as good as he can be on a weekend.

"In that sense, he is just doing what you expect. He is a top player."

When Van Persie first arrived at Old Trafford, he underlined how much he was looking forward to playing with Wayne Rooney.

As it turned out, the partnership never fully blossomed, due partly to a couple of injuries Rooney suffered at the start of last season and then the England striker's deteriorating relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Now there are the lingering questions over Rooney's future to be answered.

For while United have continued to insist the 27-year-old is not for sale, Chelsea are refusing to give up on Rooney, with Jose Mourinho set to make a final offer once the forthcoming encounter between the two clubs is out of the way.

The Red Devils' stance may soften if they could find suitable additions to their midfield, beyond Marouane Fellaini, who is certain to become the subject of a second joint bid with Leighton Baines prior to the transfer window closing on September 2.

For now though, Moyes will stick with the players he has, knowing in addition to Van Persie, Danny Welbeck has started the campaign in good form.

Welbeck also scored twice at Swansea, doubling his Premier League tally for the whole of last season.

"There is always room for improvement everywhere but every other department of Danny's game is fine," said Ferdinand.

"It is just the goalscoring.

"Many people forget he was playing on the wings a lot of the time last season but you still expected him to score more goals.

"You can tell from the way he has approached the season, the way he is training and the way he looks at the moment, he has got it in his head he wants to get on the goalscoring sheet.

"You can see that in the positions he is taking up. He is a lot more threatening now."

PA