English football doesn't appreciate you! Zlatan Ibrahimovic tells Rooney

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has blasted English football for not 'appreciating' Wayne Rooney

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic says English football does not appreciate Wayne Rooney enough after the Red Devils skipper surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton as Manchester United's top goalscorer.

Rooney's stoppage-time free-kick earned United a point on Saturday, as Jose Mourinho's side made it 17 matches without defeat, report the Manchester Evening News .

The late equaliser was Rooney's first goal in the Premier League since the opening weekend of the season and has not started two Red Devils games in a row since he was dropped from the starting XI in September.

Despite Rooney's struggles, Ibrahimovic believes his teammate is in his own elect pantheon after overtaking Charlton's international and club records within 18 months.

"Everybody knows what Wayne is. But this country has to appreciate him," Ibrahimovic said. "I don't see any other strikers like him today. Give me some names. Tell me. And still you're not happy.

"He's a complete player. It's a big thing you know. Many great players have been here and his name is right on top."

"I'm very proud to have been on the same field as him when he did it and hopefully he can continue to do what he's doing. Off the field he's a real leader and on the field he's just complete."

Rooney himself is now intent on regaining his status as a United first-teamer.

"I just have to keep going," Rooney said . "Obviously, I've been a bit in and out this season in the team, so my main priority now is to try and fight for my place in the starting XI.

"That's my main priority now. I've been in and out of the team and I need to keep trying to perform and stay in the team."