Jamie Carragher does not expect Robin van Persie to return straight to the Manchester United line-up this weekend.

The Dutch striker has recovered from an ankle injury and will be included in Louis van Gaal's squad for the Manchester derby with City at Old Trafford on Sunday.

However, former Liverpool defender Carragher feels van Gaal should not mess with the Red Devils personnel as it may disrupt their five-game winning streak.

'I don't think he'll start in the Manchester derby. United look like they have got a settled system with Wayne Rooney at the top of the pitch now. Rooney has got the shirt, even though van Persie has a great relationship with van Gaal,' Carragher wrote for Sky Sports.

'On the back of the World Cup it took van Persie a while for him to get going and get back in the team, and I think it has been difficult for him this season and last season with injury. He suffered a lot at Arsenal with injuries, but his first season at United seemed to be without trouble. It hasn't been the same since.

If Van Gaal just wants to play with one striker it would be Wayne Rooney, so van Persie will have to wait his turn.'