Ferguson: Rooney as good as Kaka, Ronaldo and Messi
MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes striker Wayne Rooney has the ingredients to rival the biggest megastars in the world game.
The 23-year-old is set to make his 50th appearance in the Champions League tonight when United host German title winners Wolfsburg.
Rooney was electric on his European debut, hitting a hat-trick in a 6-2 win over Fenerbahce in 2004, and Ferguson believes he has the attributes to match elite trio Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Kaka. “He’s blessed with certain ingredients that only great footballers have. It’s the determination and hunger to win every match, every time he goes on the field, every training session,” he said.
“There are some great footballers out there like Kaka, Ronaldo and Messi. They’re the three best players in the world in my opinion and Wayne could easily get to that level with the right progress.”
Ahead of tonight’s tie, Ferguson is well aware of the dangers his Group B opponents possess.
“They won their first match so those three points give them a good start,” he said. “The number of goals they score is quite amazing. Their two strikers scored 71 goals between them last season, which is an incredible total.”
Midfielder Park Ji-Sung will be missing for the Premier League champions with a virus but full-back Patrice Evra should be available. Striker Michael Owen missed training yesterday with a groin injury but is expected to be fit.