Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney named the best “all-rounder” from three “world-class” players that he played alongside in his legendary playing career.
Wayne Rooney had a prolific impact during his spell at Old Trafford and is widely regarded as one of the best strikers of all time.
The 38-year-old United legend arrived at the Premier League club in 2004 after iconic former manager Sir Alex Ferguson signed him from Everton.
Rooney lifted five Premier League titles, a Champions League, a Europa League, three League Cups and an FA Cup during his prolific spell at United.
Following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, Rooney stayed at Old Trafford and was later promoted to captain under former United manager Louis van Gaal in 2014.
The former United striker, who surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton as the club’s all-time scorer, left the Red Devils in 2017 and returned to boyhood club Everton.
Rooney had a brief spell at Goodison Park for the second time before he went on to play for DC United and Derby County before he retired in 2021.
Man Utd legend Rooney on best ‘all-rounder’
Wayne Rooney appeared on The Overlap alongside former Manchester United and England teammate Gary Neville for a quick-fire Q&A.
The former United and England captain opened up about his life both on the pitch and off it, including naming the best player of all time.
Rooney revealed the toughest opponent in his legendary career, while he also admitted a major dislike that Neville couldn’t help but laugh at during the Q&A.
United’s record scorer was asked by Neville for his thoughts on the long-running debate surrounding Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard, United legend Paul Scholes and Chelsea hero Frank Lampard are widely regarded as three of the best midfielders of all time.
However, the trio are often placed at the centre of a heated debate over which of them was the best, with Rooney insisting that all three were “different.”
Rooney played alongside Lampard and Gerrard during his time with England, while the former Three Lions striker shared the pitch with Scholes for club and country.
The former England international believes that Gerrard was the “best” out of the three as an “all-rounder” due to his attacking and defensive qualities.
“Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are all different,” Rooney said.
“As an all-rounder, Stevie is the best; he can defend, pass the ball, run, tackle, score goals, set pieces. As an all-rounder, he’s the best from that point of view.
“From a goalscoring point of view, Lamps was the best. The goals he scored were incredible from midfield and technically he wasn’t at Stevie or Scholesy’s level but there was no-one better at scoring goals from midfield.”
Rooney on Scholes and Gerrard
Rooney hailed the influence of Scholes as a player and was in awe at how the United legend “adapted” himself after undergoing a position change when he was younger.
The Plymouth Argyle boss said that Scholes, Lampard and Gerrard were all “world class,” irrespective of the debate around the three legendary former players.
However, Rooney added that he doesn’t think Scholes would have been able to achieve what he did if he had to do what Gerrard did at Liverpool.
“Scholesy, the way he adapted [made him amazing],” he said.
“He was a striker when he was younger so to go to a [No] 10, then midfield, then a deeper midfielder dictating the game, I don’t think either of the other two could dictate a game the way he could.
“All were world-class players. Stevie could come to Manchester United and be a top player and do what Scholes could do. But I don’t think Scholes could do what Stevie did at Liverpool.”