Pellegrini reveals Rooney admiration

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has praised Wayne Rooney's longevity and backed the Manchester United captain to play well into his 30s like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

Both Manchester sides meet on Sunday, but Pellegrini revealed his admiration for Rooney - who only turned 30 on Saturday - and the quality he has shown over a long period of time.

"I admire Rooney the same as with Gerrard and Lampard,“ Pellegrini told reporters. “I admire that they demonstrate what they can do over a long period.

"It is one thing to be good for one or two years, much more difficult to be good for 12 years. To stay on top for so long and demonstrate in almost every game why they are at that level is not easy.

“Players can continue without any problem until they are 35 or 36. Maybe you can’t play three games a week for a whole season any more but players these days know how to recover.

"Ten more derbies? Maybe that is one of his challenges. Maybe United’s challenge is to win the title with Rooney.”

Both sides are in the hunt for the Premier League this season and Pellegrini insists the rivalry has intensified ever since City achieved parity with Manchester United in terms of club profile.

"It is very different derby now,” he continued.

“Everyone in Manchester was used to the fact that Manchester United was the most important team in the city and they dominated English football but in the last few years it has changed.

"That has given us an option to show there is not just one team in this city.”