Wayne Rooney plays down Robin van Persie, Ashley Williams spat

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has moved to cool a clash between his teammate Robin van Persie and Swansea City defender Ashley Williams that took place earlier today.

As Van Persie was on the ground having been fouled just outside the Swansea area, Williams sent the ball crashing into the Dutch international's head from close range.

Following the 1-1 draw between the two teams, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson launched a scathing verbal attack on Williams by insisting that he could have killed Van Persie.

However, Rooney has gone against his manager's point of view, insisting that the referee took the right decision to book both players following a brief altercation.

"I think it's one of those things," he said. "The whistle's gone, the defenders gone to clear and it's hit him in the head. I think [it was] probably the right decision from the referee."

As yet, there has been no word from the Football Association on the incident.