Wayne Rooney settles the Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes debate with definitive answer

Wayne Rooney has joined the ongoing debate over who was the best player out of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes. This discussion, which once dominated conversations among Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United fans of a certain era, continues to captivate, despite all three having retired.

At one point, it seemed that Gerrard and Lampard might extend their rivalry into management. However, with Gerrard now in Saudi Arabia and Lampard unemployed since his temporary stint at Stamford Bridge, the debate is firmly rooted in their playing careers.

Liverpool supporters would always staunchly support Gerrard, who is arguably the greatest player ever to play for the club. While United’s all-time top goalscorer Rooney stopped short of choosing an outright favourite, he suggested he too thinks his fellow Scouser Gerrard could do what the other two couldn’t.

During his appearance on The Overlap, sponsored by Sky Bet, Rooney was asked about the best player he ever played alongside. “I think obviously on ability, Ronaldo,” he responded.

“But then Scholesy as well, what Scholesy brought to the team… but from an ability point of view you’d say Cristiano.”

This prompted Neville to bring up the notorious Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes debate. Rooney had considerable experience playing with all three during his time with Manchester United and England.

“They’re all different, I think. As an all-rounder, Stevie’s the best one out of them,” Rooney concluded. “I think he can defend, pass the ball, run, tackle, score goals, set pieces. So I think as an all-rounder Stevie’s the best from that point of view.

“From a goal-scoring point of view, Lamps. The goals he scored was incredible from midfield. Technically, probably not at Stevie or Scholesy’s level, but there’s no-one better than him at scoring goals from midfield.

“And then Scholesy, I think just how he adapted. He was almost a striker when he was younger. To then go to a 10, to midfield, and then deeper midfield, dictating the game. I don’t think the other two could dictate games the way he could.”

Finally, Rooney made a bold claim about Gerrard’s potential impact at Man United. Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho were both keen to sign the midfielder.

Rooney added: “All world-class players. I think Stevie could come to United and be a top, top player, and almost do what Scholes could do, where I don’t think Scholesy could go and do what Stevie done at Liverpool.”

Neville firmly concurred, stating there was ‘no chance’ that Scholes could have achieved what Gerrard did at Anfield when he regularly won the club matches and trophies almost single-handedly.