Beckham: 'Rooney is the world's best'

David Beckham hailed Wayne Rooney as the best player in the world after the Manchester United striker upstaged him on his Old Trafford return.

Rooney took his goal tally for the season to 30 as United demolished Beckham's AC Milan to march into the Champions League quarter-finals.

And Becks, who received a standing ovation from United fans when he came on as a second-half substitute, paid England team-mate Rooney the ultimate compliment.

"I keep saying it but Wayne is such an exceptional talent," said Beckham.

"He's one of the best players, if not the best, in the world at the moment, along with Messi and Ronaldo. They don't come much better than that."

Rooney scored in either half and further goals from Ji-Sung Park and Darren Fletcher condemned Milan to a humiliating defeat.

But Beckham paid tribute to the United fans for giving him a hero's reception on his return to the Theatre of Dreams.

"It was a disappointing night because we lost but returning here is always special," said Becks. "The fans were unbelievable.

"I have to say thank you to all of them because they were incredible. It was nice to be back.

"It's always like that when you don't start games. You always want to play. But we're a team and, as I've said many times before, we win together and lose together.

Beckham picked up an anti-Glazer green and gold scarf from the Old Trafford turf as he left the pitch, but dismissed the significance of the gesture afterwards.

"I'm a Manchester United fan," said Becks. "When I saw the scarf I put it round my neck - it's the old colours of United."

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson said: "It was a marvellous second half display from us. We got the early goal in the second half and after that we played really well.

"When we play at that tempo we're very difficult to play against. It was a really solid Manchester United performance."

Fergie said Rooney now had an outside chance of matching Cristiano Ronaldo's 42-goal haul in the 2007-08 campaign.

"It's a challenge for Wayne," said Fergie. "I was just happy for him to reach 30, but he keeps on improving and he was sensational again tonight.

"We're in the quarter-finals now and with the kind of team I've got it doesn't matter who we play."

Man United 4-0 AC Milan: Daily Mirror match report

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