Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic says it was important to keep Wayne Rooney ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer.

Vidic knows United's chances of success this season centre on the ability of Rooney to keep delivering as he did in the 3-1 win at Hull and the 5-0 home thrashing of Wigan.

"If there was ever one player we had to keep hold of then it was Wayne and not Cristiano Ronaldo," he says.

"I am not taking anything away from Ronaldo but Wayne is the toughest player to play against.

"He has all the skill and ability of Ronaldo but also has the strength and workrate to match the talent.

"Sure, Ronaldo is a great player but we are still a great team without him."