United Striker Claims Liverpool Offer A Bigger Match-Up Than Title Rivals

Wayne Rooney insists that Liverpool and Manchester United have a bigger rivalry than his club does with Manchester City as the cross-city sides prepare to face each other in Sunday's derby.

Since City were taken over by billionaires, they and United have competed on an equal footing for trophies for the first time since the late 1960s, when legendary players Bell, Lee and Summerbee lit up Maine Road, and Charlton, Best and Law did the same at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils currently hold an advantage over the Champions League newcomers with their most recent title win but as Rooney continues to star for United this season the England international has admitted that he is more concerned with beating Liverpool over the course of the season than City.

"They're all big games. Obviously United and Liverpool has been a massive game over the years," Rooney told reporters. "City have had their success recently, but I would probably say that United and Liverpool is still the biggest game."

The striker, who has scored three times for United this season and has often been a game-changing force in their victories, insists that the match with City won't define their 2013/14 campaign as he sets the ambition of scoring against the side once more.

"It's a massive game between two title contenders," he explained. "It's not going to define the season, but it's a big game, a local derby.

"The English players are more aware of what it means after the last four or five years. It's a big game and we'll be going there hopefully to win. I've scored a few goals against City and I'm looking forward to the match."

Rooney's goal scoring form against City has been something for football fans across the globe to remember; particularly his spectacular scissor kick against the side in 2011 to take United to a 2-1 win.

But City have won nine of their last 10 games at home and with the return of Vincent Kompany it will certainly be tough for United to overcome their rivals at Etihad Stadium without Sir Alex Ferguson in the dugout for the first time.