Rooney aims to dethrone Ronaldo

Wayne Rooney will start his bid to succeed Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player on the planet when England face Ukraine in a World Cup qualifier this evening.

Rooney spent the last three years playing second fiddle to Ronaldo at Manchester United as the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year became the driving force behind his side's success.

But, following Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid, Rooney is now the main man for United as well as England.

England coach Fabio Capello had already decided to build his team around Rooney and now United boss Alex Ferguson has restored him to his favoured central striking position.

Rooney would never publicly complain about being shunted to the flanks to allow Portugal winger Ronaldo a free role, yet there is no doubt he is happier and more productive in the thick of the action.

England have certainly benefited and Rooney knows he has a golden opportunity to establish himself as the world's best in South Africa next year.

"You want to be the best," he said.

"Of course it motivates you, but it's not something I would go on about or keep talking about. Players are different, but of course that's what you want to be.

"Ronaldo is definitely the best player at the moment. It's clear for everyone.

"He scores goals. I've watched his first few games for Real Madrid and he seems to have improved again. He's passing the ball a lot more as well.

"When he was at United, people said 'he doesn't run back, he doesn't do this' but look at what he did going forward.

"But we as a team had to realise that if he was as good as that going forward, we had to make up for it by going back. That's what happened and in the last three years we were very successful doing it."

Rooney has already scored eight times for club and country this season and the 23-year-old's form and fitness will be key to England's hopes of winning the World Cup.

Capello's team have already qualified with two matches still to play after eight successive wins and can finish the campaign with 10 victories from 10 matches if they defeat Ukraine and then Belarus at Wembley on Wednesday.