Wayne Rooney names ex-Man United star as best strike partner ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo

Wayne Rooney played alongside a number of high-class attackers at Old Trafford, but the man himself has named Carlos Tevez as his most effective forward partner.

Rooney joined the Red Devils in 2004 and was used in a variety of different roles by former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, although the ex-Everton man was always effective in his duty.

Arguably the best United team Rooney played in saw Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo line up alongside the England international in attack, with the 2008 team containing that trio winning the Premier League and the Champions League.

Even though Rooney and Ronaldo shared devastating natural chemistry during their Old Trafford careers, when asked about his favourite parter at United, the current Derby County boss opted for Tevez.

"Tevez. I just loved our connection," he told SportBible (h/t Goal ). "The two of us up front, we complimented each other really well.

"Normally if I played with Louis Saha, Ruud van Nistelrooy or Robin van Persie – these strikers were always the No.9 and I’d play as a No.10.

"With Tevez we could rotate, I’d be the No.9, he’d take the No.9 spot and I’d be No.10. When we lost the ball we’d be like two bulls trying to get it back. As a strike partner, he was the one I enjoyed playing with the most."

As much as Rooney enjoyed working with Tevez, the two became enemies when the Argentina international crossed Manchester to join City.

The striker was a big hit at the Etihad Stadium too, adding a Premier League title and an FA Cup to the two and one he had won respectively at United.

Rooney admitted that it was hard to take when Tevez traded red for sky blue.

"[It was] devastating," he added. "I enjoyed playing with him so much and I knew something was going on because