Manchester United legend Bryan Robson says Wayne Rooney won't be truly appreciated until he retires.

The United and England captain has won five Premier League titles and a Champions League during a glittering career at Old Trafford, but there has been much debate over whether he truly ranks among the club's greatest-ever players.

Robson thinks Rooney has more than proved himself to be a very special player in the club's history.

He told Omnisport: "To break the records that he has broken at international level and at Manchester United, you have to be a special talent.

"I don't think people are putting him up there with the greats at United but that's what happens when you're still playing.

"He's been in and out of the team but for me when he retires in years to come, people will call him a great player.

"He will get that status but when a player is still playing they don't get the accolades that they should get."