© Getty Images Enlarge Wayne Rooney says Luis Suarez is 'one of the best players in the world'

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney rates Liverpool's Luis Suarez on a level par with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rooney is set to face Suarez on Sunday when United host second-placed Liverpool at Old Trafford in the Premier League, with 11 points separating the two teams.

Suarez has been in scintillating form this season, striking up a lethal partnership with Daniel Sturridge and scoring 24 goals in all competitions.

Now Rooney has claimed Suarez is in the same bracket as Barcelona's Messi and Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo, who has scored 38 goals for Real Madrid this season.

"Suarez, for me, is up there with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the best players in the world," Rooney told MUTV.

"He has been that good and the two of them together have been in great form this season. We will have to do everything we can to stop them on Sunday.

"I think they are both fantastic players and obviously it is good to see Sturridge doing well because he has never really had a chance at his previous clubs.

"Brendan Rodgers has given him a chance and he has taken it with both hands. That is good for England as well."

Robin van Persie fired United to the title by scoring 26 goals last season, but he and Rooney have only managed 11 each this term.

Injuries have curbed the playing time for both players, but now they are fit - and have also committed their respective futures to the club - Rooney hopes the goals will start coming again for the duo.

"We can do better and if we are not at the top of the league then that will get looked at and we understand that," Rooney said.

"We can score more goals and we know we can. We are working hard to do that, we have to keep going and hopefully that will come."

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