Rooney: Liverpool still biggest game for United

Wayne Rooney has attempted to get under the skin of noisy neighbours Manchester City ahead of tomorrow’s big match at the Etihad by insisting games against Liverpool are still the real derby for Manchester United.

City’s rise from the ashes, the arrival of billionaire owners from Abu Dhabi and their dramatic title victory at the expense of United two years ago, have all combined to turn the Manchester derby into the most hyped game of the season.

It is hype that has been justified by the action on the pitch, which has included a last-minute winner from Robin van Persie in a 3-2 thriller at the Etihad last season, City’s remarkable 6-1 win at Old Trafford in 2011 and a stunning Michael Owen 95th-minute winner in 2009.

But Rooney has pointedly refused to hail it as the biggest match of the season for United, whose traditional rivals for silverware in the years when City were cast adrift were Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.

When asked if the Manchester derby was now ‘the’ biggest rivalry in English football, Rooney said: “I don’t know. They are all big games. Obviously United-Liverpool is a massive game over the years. City have had their success recently but I would probably say that United-Liverpool is still the biggest game.”

But that’s not to say the Manchester derby doesn’t have huge consequences for both teams now that City, with Sheikh Mansour’s financial backing, can claim to be a serious rival for major trophies both at home and in Europe.

“Of course it’s a massive game,” said Rooney. “Two title contenders. It’s not going to define the season but it’s a big game, a local derby. It’s a big game and we will be going there hopefully to win.”

In fact, Rooney’s record against City is hugely impressive. He scored twice at the Etihad last year, twice in an FA Cup tie there in 2012 and hit the winner at the same stadium in 2008. He also hit the winner at home in 2011 (a legendary bicycle kick voted goal of the season), scored in a Carling Cup game at Old Trafford in 2010 and in the 4-3 thriller in 2009.

In all he has 10 goals against City making him, alongside City’s Joe Lewis and Francis Lee, the top goalscorer in Manchester derby history.

“I have scored a few goals against City so hopefully I can do it again,” the England striker added.