'A little bit ahead of Stevie' - Wayne Rooney believes Kevin De Bruyne was better than Steven Gerrard as Man Utd legend hails Man City midfielder

Rooney praised De Bruyne’s immense contribution to English football over the past decade and credited the Belgian with redefining the creative midfield role. Since joining City in 2015, the Belgian maestro has been instrumental in their dominance, winning 16 major trophies, including six Premier League titles.

Speaking on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet, Rooney, while acknowledging similarities between De Bruyne and Gerrard, noted that the City playmaker stands slightly ahead in terms of offensive output.

"Very similar, and in my opinion, just a little bit ahead in terms of attacking points to Stevie," he said. "Similar traits to what Stevie is. He was more of an all-around player but I think in that attacking period, De Bruyne was incredible.

"City got to make a decision, and they have probably at the right time. Now, with FFP, you can't keep a player at the club for what he's done. You obviously have to go and replace him. But in terms of a player over the last, you know, 10 years, he's been there. It's incredible."

Despite his achievements, the past two seasons have not been smooth sailing for De Bruyne. Now 33, he has faced persistent injury concerns that have limited his minutes on the pitch. However, when fit, he continues to showcase his brilliance. Earlier this month, he rolled back the years with a dominant performance against Crystal Palace, reminding fans and critics alike of his enduring talent.

Although his Manchester City chapter is nearing its conclusion, De Bruyne has yet to reveal his next move. The veteran midfielder has attracted interest from both Major League Soccer and clubs in the Saudi Pro League, with both destinations seen as likely options for seasoned European stars seeking new challenges. Whether he opts for a lifestyle change and a new competitive adventure abroad remains to be seen.