Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney loses fans in shirt sales

Shirt sales of Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney have dropped significantly from last season, while his teammate Robin van Persie tops the chart.

The England international sold more shirts that any other player in the top flight of English football last season, but has only mustered 6% of sales for the 2012-13 campaign.

These statistics from Pitch.co.uk come following rumours that the 27-year-old could be sold by United in the summer after he started on the bench for the Red Devils' Champions League exit to Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Van Persie, who moved to Old Trafford from Arsenal last summer, tops the sales with 25.4%, and Liverpool captain comes in second with 8.2% of sales.

Top 10 most popular Premier League players and shirt sales

1. Van Persie (20) – 25.4% 2. Gerrard (8) – 8.2% 3 Rooney (10) – 6% 4. Kagawa (26) 5.8% 5. Suarez (7) – 3.6% 6. Hazard (17) – 3.1% 7. Scholes (22) – 2.7% 8. Torres (9) – 2.5% 9. Kun Aguero (16) – 2.2% 10. Giroud (12) – 2.1%