Wayne Rooney: "We are getting better"

Wayne Rooney has insisted that Manchester United "are getting better" despite their 1-0 defeat away at rivals Manchester City this afternoon.

Visiting United were reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Chris Smalling in the 39th minute and City made their numerical advantage count during the second half as Sergio Aguero fired in the game's only goal.

However, skipper Rooney believes that United, under the management of Louis van Gaal, "are not far away" from "being a very good side".

"We have to focus on ourselves. You can see every week we are getting better," he told Sky Sports News.

"We are not far away from being back up there and being a very good side. We came here for a result and leave with no points so we are disappointed."

The loss has left United ninth in the Premier League table.