Former England and Barcelona boss Terry Venables says it's only a matter of time before Manchester United star Wayne Rooney is regarded the best in the world.

In his column for The Sun, Venables wrote: "World-class Wayne? Yes, absolutely.

"Best player in the world Wayne? Not quite yet.

"Though it will surely not be long before we are crowning Wayne Rooney as the best footballer on the planet.

"Alex Ferguson hailed the striker's display in Manchester United's Carling Cup semi-final against neighbours City on Wednesday as 'world class'.

"The Red Devils boss was right - Rooney was a cut above everyone on the park.

"The way he took the game to City merely underlined what most of us have known for a while: He is a genuine world-class performer.

"While I do not believe he is the best player in the world at this moment, his display against City confirmed to me that he is the nearest thing to Diego Maradona these shores have ever produced.

"I have thought this for a while but have resisted stating it publicly for the fear of piling more pressure on the Premier League's most talked-about star.

"But after his latest matchwinning display, I realise I cannot keep the genie in the bottle any longer... Rooney is our Maradona."