Gary Neville names the best striker he ever played with at Old Trafford who had 'everything', but admits 'a lot of Man United fans will disagree' with his pick

• e-mail

Gary Neville has named the best striker he ever played with at Manchester United but admitted some fans may 'disagree' with his decision. 

The right-back - who featured 602 times for the Red Devils over the course of 19 seasons - said Wayne Rooney was the best striker he had the pleasure of sharing a pitch with at United. 

Neville said no one was capable of holding up play, beating their man and scoring goals like Rooney was. He also credited the former England international with being exceptional off the ball when it came to pressing and movement. 

However, Neville - who retired in 2011, finishing his career with eight titles, three FA Cups and two Champions Leagues - said Eric Cantona was a better passer of the ball.

Neville also had the pleasure of sharing a pitch with the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as Treble winners Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham.

Gary Neville named the best striker he ever played with at Manchester United

The right-back - who featured 602 times for the Red Devils over the course of 19 seasons - said Wayne Rooney was the best striker he had the pleasure of sharing a pitch with at United

Speaking to Stick to Football, via Sky Bet, Neville said: 'When it comes to the best centre forward that I played with, there is no other answer than Wayne Rooney, and I know that is something that a lot of Manchester United fans disagree with.

'No one could do what Rooney could do with his hold-up play, his movement on and off the ball, beating a man, scoring goals, tackling, pressing and could play in a variety of positions.

'No one gets close to him in terms of an all-round forward. I don't hesitate in saying that he's the best centre forward that I played with. Cantona was probably a better passer and could hold the ball up better. 

'Ruud was a better finisher, Ole was a better finisher. Yorkie and Cole's partnership was better than Rooney. But he had everything.'  

With United, Rooney lifted five Premier League titles and was pivotal in each. An FA Cup and four League Cups would follow, before that famous rain-soaked night in Moscow when the Champions League trophy finally donned the red ribbons of United once more.

With United Rooney (above) lifted five Premier League titles and was pivotal in each

Rooney's final United honour arrived in May 2017 inside Stockholm's Friends Arena, lifting the Europa League trophy into the Swedish night sky as captain of his beloved club.

One final swansong with Everton beckoned, as Rooney sported the famous blue shirt for one last dance during the 2017-18 season.

He would make 31 Premier League appearances and score 10 goals for his boyhood club, as heartbroken Evertonians were finally able to give the local hero the goodbye he never had in 2004.

A subsequent fleeting spell at DC United granted Rooney the rare gift of going incognito. In the United States the star could walk about freely, without worry of approach from a different stranger on every street corner.

After an exhausting career with the eyes of the world on his every move, it was liberating for Rooney. His enjoyment of life was soon reflected in his football, with the veteran star scoring 25 goals in 52 appearances.

An FA Cup and four League Cups would follow, before that famous night in Moscow when the Champions League trophy finally donned the red ribbons of Manchester United once more

But English football would always remain his love, and it came as a surprise to nobody that Rooney would hang up his boots where it all began.

A brief playing career with the Rams now sees Rooney become Derby County manager. Rooney has since taken over as the head coach of EFL Championship club Plymouth Argyle.

Gary Neville was speaking on Stick to Football: The Overlap Special, brought to you by Sky Bet