England and A. C. Milan star David Beckham has hailed Wayne Rooney as the best player in the world after the Manchester United striker upstaged him on his Old Trafford return.

Rooney took his goal tally for the season to 30 as United demolished Beckham's AC Milan 7-2 to march into the Champions League quarterfinals.

"I keep saying it, but Wayne is such an exceptional talent. He's one of the best players, if not the best, in the world at the moment, along with Messi and Ronaldo. They don't come much better than that," The Mirror quoted Beckham, as saying.

Rooney scored in either half and further goals from Ji-Sung Park and Darren Fletcher condemned Milan to a humiliating defeat. (ANI)