Manchester United Football Club

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:David Moyes

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68174

Rooney: Rio is best in world

19 Dec 2007 - 13:28:53

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Wayne Rooney believes his Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand is currently the best defender in the world.

Ferdinand, 29, took the plaudits for his performance at the heart of the defence as the Red Devils edged out rivals Liverpool in Sunday's 1-0 Premier League win at Anfield.

And Rooney believes the recent displays of his United and England team-mate suggest he is currently unsurpassed on the world stage.

"There's great rivalry between United and Liverpool, so it was a big result for us, especially with how tight the league is," he told MUTV.

"We knew that if we got three points then it would put a bit of space between us and Liverpool.

"A draw would perhaps have been a fair result, but we defended really well and managed to get the goal.

"(Nemanja Vidic) Vida and Rio were brilliant for us. I think Rio is probably the best defender in the world at the moment.

"He's been doing really well for us. The whole defence and the whole team is defending well."