Wayne Rooney believes that Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is one of the best players in the world.

Suarez, who has scored 24 goals this season, has helped the Reds to second in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Chelsea.

With Liverpool travelling to Old Trafford on Sunday 11 points ahead of Manchester United, Rooney admits that stopping Suarez and Daniel Sturridge is key.

"Suarez, for me, is up there with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the best players in the world," Rooney told MUTV.

"He has been that good and the two of them together have been in great form this season. We will have to do everything we can to stop them on Sunday.

"I think they are both fantastic players and obviously it is good to see Sturridge doing well because he has never really had a chance at his previous clubs."

Rooney, who has 11 goals this season, also believes that his partnership with Robin van Persie must be improved.