Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini rates Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney as the best player in the world.

The Italian was at Old Trafford on Wednesday to witness the England striker's demolition of AC Milan.

And even local rivalries could not prevent Mancini singing Rooney's praises yesterday.

"He is the best in the world with Messi," said the former Inter Milan coach. "He scores loads, works for the team and is intelligent all over the pitch. Rooney is their most important player.

"He is very valuable to the team but it is not only him. The rest of the Manchester United team are also good. Did you see Park? He was always on Andrea Pirlo and did not let him play and then even scored."