Liverpool Star Luis Suarez is Up There Ronaldo and Messi, Says United's Wayne Rooney

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has heaped praise on Luis Suarez, claiming Liverpool star is on par with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The 27-year-old has been in prolific form in the Premier League this campaign. Despite missing first few fixtures of the season due to suspension, Suarez is the leading goal scoring charts in the top flight football competition in England with 24 goals to his name from 23 league appearances.

Suarez, along with his Liverpool teammates visit Old Trafford as Brendan Rodgers' side take on United for the league clash on Sunday. Rooney claims the Uruguayan international is an incredible player and revealed that he admires the Anfield striker.

"Luis Suarez is an incredible player. He's unique in the way he plays and, on current form, he's up there with Ronaldo and Messi. People say Suarez is a street footballer like me, but I'd bet where he grew up in Uruguay was a lot tougher than where I grew up in Liverpool," Rooney told the Mirror.

"Anyone who knows football can see he's got that fight and desire in him. He'll do anything to be successful. Now and then it all goes wrong for him, but as a footballer, I can't help but admire him," he added.

The Reds are in brilliant form this season as they sit third in the league table with 59 points from 28 games, trailing league leaders by seven points, who have played two games more. Meanwhile, United are seventh in the table with 48 points from 28 games, trailing fourth place Arsenal by 11 points.

Liverpool are still in the contention to win the title this season. A defeat against United at Old Trafford could see them take a step back in this year's title race.

Rooney is keen on getting a result against the Merseyside club as the England international claims the victory over their arch rivals will be a much needed boost for their upcoming fixtures.

"If Liverpool win the league, it will be down to the fact that they are the best team in the country. No one at United will like that, but we will still have to respect them for the achievement," the England striker said.

"For me, beating Liverpool is always special because of who I am and where I come from, but for a club like Manchester United it can't be just about ­stopping Liverpool.

"We want to win because of what it means to us. This is a massive period. Liverpool, then Olympiakos in the Champions League [this Wednesday] and next week it's the derby against Manchester City," Rooney concluded.