Manchester United's Robin Van Persie (L) is challenged by Bayer Leverkusen's Simon Rolfes during their Champions League soccer match at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England, Sept 17, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Rooney and Van Persie were also both on target in a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in the league on Saturday, and it is a partnership that Moyes is clearly banking on in his first season at United.

The opener - Rooney's 199th in all competitions for United _ had a hint of fortune about it, though. Patrice Evra was just offside when he swung a cross in to Rooney and Valencia was also offside and hindering goalkeeper Bernd Leno as the striker volleyed downward and into the net.

United fully deserved its halftime lead, though, against an initially compact Leverkusen side whose defense was ripped apart after the break.

Rooney will be glad his glaring 52nd-minute miss didn't come back to haunt him and United. Toprak slipped to allow the striker to run through on goal but after rounding Leno, Rooney was caught between shooting into an unguarded net and crossing for the unmarked Van Persie. What ended up being a cross-cum-shot agonizingly rolled just wide of the far post.

Rolfes made him pay two minutes later by bending in a shot from the edge of the area with Leverkusen's first real chance, but the lead was restored in the 59th.

Valencia raced to the byline and crossed for Van Persie to send a flying volley toward Leno, who could only bat the ball into his own net.

Rooney then pounced on Toprak's poor headed clearance to beat Leno at his near post in the 70th, before slipping a ball through to Valencia following a quick counterattack for the winger to fizz a low shot in at the near post.

"Obviously the first game in the Champions League is always important and thankfully we got the victory," Rooney said.