Manchester City fullback Pablo Zabaleta has happily told some home truths to Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney. Rooney claimed last week that Manchester United's clashes with Liverpool remained more important than games against crosstown neighbours City.

"I saw Rooney," said Zabaleta after City's emphatic win. "He was one of their main players - he tried more than anyone else in the Manchester United team.

"He says Liverpool is still the big game. But I saw him working so hard, so probably it proves this game is just as important to him as United v Liverpool.

"When the game is like that, and you see the team playing like that against a team like Manchester United, you know it's a special game."