Ronaldo backs United

Cristiano Ronaldo has backed Manchester United in the battle with City to be the best and biggest team in Manchester, with our Portuguese hero snubbing the sky blues for having a lack of tradition.

"I don't see City being above United. Perhaps one day, but not yet. At United there are great traditions, which you can't buy in one or two years. They are created by victories. You need to prove again and again that you are better than the others. Manchester United has always done this and is still doing it, so they are the best."

He also backed Wayne Rooney to be a success in Spain, though admits that United are a great fit for the young Englishman.

"He's a great footballer who has been playing in one of the strongest leagues in Europe, so of course he would be able to play in Spain. In the last few years he has shown his level and I believe that in Spain he would show the same quality. We still talk on the phone from time to time, but we don't talk about him coming to Real. I think it's better that he stays at United. Rooney is an Englishman and he likes Manchester. The city and the club suit him."