Man United trio better than Salah, Firmino, Mane – Rooney

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has lauded Liverpool’s golden trio but he still sees them below the level which the Red Devils’ own irresistible trio were at a few years ago.

The likes of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah have been in blistering form for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season.

Rooney has admitted the Liverpool attackers are indeed difficult to stop, but he does not see them as being on the same level as the collaboration between himself, Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo from a few years ago.

For the ex-United striker, the Liverpool trio need support from the rest of the team to be deemed amongst the best.

“I think they’re very dangerous,” he told Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.

“They’ve got a lot of pace and Firmino works really hard in winning the ball back for Liverpool, which is what they want. As good as him and Mane are Salah pips them though because he takes them to the next level.

“Sir Alex Ferguson used to say to us go and play and attack how you want but when you lose the ball then get back and help out.

“We had a good compromise because me and Tevez would probably do a lot more defensive work than Cristiano but we knew in the big games and moments he would win them.

“With any other player we probably wouldn’t have done it but Cristiano was that good you have to accommodate that. I would gladly sacrifice goals any day of the week if he is going to help us win trophies.

“I think it would be difficult to match us. The difference we had is obviously Premier League winner’s medals and we had real quality behind us who would support us in different ways and the defence was solid.

“For those three to get to that level they need that wall behind them to help them flourish a bit more.”