Rooney: Ferguson is best in history

Wayne Rooney has hailed Alex Ferguson as “probably the best manager of all time” and predicted Manchester United would have a massive say in the destination of the Barclays Premiership trophy this season.

The England striker believes United’s victory over previously unbeaten leaders Chelsea at the start of the month could set in motion a lengthy run of positive results.

United were impressive when winning 3-1 at Charlton on Saturday, and Rooney feels the back-to-back league wins over London opposition offer a sign of good things to come.

Rooney told PA Sport: “Hopefully we can kick on from that game now and keep winning games.

“Hopefully Chelsea will drop a few points and we can get close to them or even catch them, and with a bit of luck we could end up overtaking them.

“If we win our game in hand it’s a seven-point gap and there’s still a lot of games left. So it’s certainly not over.”

Rooney was speaking in Manchester at a signing session for his new DVD, ‘Rooney: My First Year at Manchester United’, which was released on Monday.

In the film, he reflects on his early progress at United, and although the 20-year-old is now well settled at Old Trafford, he insists it remains a privilege to work under Ferguson and alongside United’s senior players on a daily basis.

Although there was frustration at Old Trafford last night, with the goalless draw against Villarreal, Rooney delivered another virtuoso display, particularly in the first half when he tormented the Spaniards.

It was another sign of his maturing into the complete forward, and Rooney believes he can continue to improve, with the support of his team-mates.

The £27million striker has been able to pick the minds of and observe at close hand the studied professionalism of the likes of ‘Fergie fledglings’ Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville.

Where they were once in his shoes looking up to the likes of Mark Hughes, Brian McClair, Steve Bruce and Eric Cantona, Rooney is hoping some of his team-mates’ accrued knowledge and wisdom, plus the manager’s savvy, will rub off and have a positive impact his game.

“Sir Alex has been around in the game for years and in my eyes he’s probably the best manager of all time,” Rooney added.

“With Giggsy, Scholesy and Gary Neville in the team, obviously training with them is going to benefit you.

“It’s going to help in a lot of ways.

“You pick up things from them every day, the way they live their lives as well, and the food they eat.

“You try to do the same and it does help you.”

Rooney also offered a message of support to seriously ill United legend George Best.

Best had to be put back on a ventilator after a disturbed night but remains “alert”, his doctor said today.

The 59-year-old Manchester United legend has been in the intensive care unit at the Cromwell Hospital, west London, after he suffered a severe setback and a lung infection.

“People around the club say he’s the best to ever wear a Manchester United shirt,” said Rooney. “Hopefully he’ll get himself better and carry on with his life.

“On behalf of myself and everybody involved at Manchester United I send George and his family our thoughts and best wishes.”