Wayne Rooney names the 'cool' and 'calm' player he wishes he played with but never got the chance

Manchester United's all-time top goalscorer Wayne Rooney has named the "cool" and "calm" player he would like to have played with.

The 38-year-old former England international played alongside some of the greatest players of his generation during a career that spanned 19 years.

From Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs to Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, the Croxteth-born striker shared the pitch with some top players.

But the person he wishes he could have played with? Zinedine Zidane.

Rooney, who made his Everton debut in 2002 at the age of 16, was only a teenager when Zidane lifted the Champions League with Real Madrid.

The Frenchman is regarded by many as the most talented midfielder of his era.

And while speaking on The Overlap – a show brought to you by Sky Bet – Rooney explained why he wanted to call Zidane a teammate.

“I wish I played with Zinedine Zidane, just how good he was. [Lionel] Messi is the best of all time but to play with Zidane [would be amazing]," Rooney said. "He’s cool, calm, plays with both feet, goals and assists.”

Rooney has previously opened up on the best and worst teammates of his career.

Speaking on the Seven: Rob Burrow podcast with England rugby legend Rob Burrow, Rooney explained: "My best team-mate, I'd say Darren Fletcher.

"There were a few - John O'Shea, Wes Brown, Michael Carrick - we were all really close.

"But Fletch was probably the one We sat next to each other in the dressing room and shared really good moments on and off the pitch together."

Fletcher, who joined United's youth setup at the age of 11, went on to make over 300 appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes and Louis van Gaal before leaving in 2015.

But what about his worst? "There are a lot more than you'd probably think," Rooney laughed. "On the pitch, the toughest one was Nani. He was frustrating to play with."

Rooney also offered his two cents on the age-old debate around the 'greatest of all time'.

"I think Messi, he’s the best ever," the 38-year-old said. "I get a lot of stick for saying Messi where it’s as if, ‘How can you say Messi, it’s Ronaldo.’

"I understand that people can say Messi, people can say Ronaldo – they are both incredible, probably the best two players to ever play the game. For me, Messi has just got that little bit more flare, which I like in a player, so that’s the reason.”