Wayne Rooney claims Manchester City's current team aren't as good as Manchester United's 2008 vintage... but how do the two sides measure up?

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After 18 games of the Premier League season, Manchester City are obliterating the field. They have taken 52 points from 54, leaving Manchester United clinging onto their coat-tails 11 points behind in second place.

City have demolished their rivals, comprehensively defeating the other established top-six sides and a debate is beginning about whether this City outfit could become the greatest we have seen.

Speaking on talkSPORT this weekend, former Manchester United player Wayne Rooney said this City side still have a way to go to match up to Sir Alex Ferguson's 2007/08 team that lifted a Premier League and Champions League double.

Manchester United won the Champions League with an exceptional team back in 2008

Sir Alex Ferguson congratulates Cristiano Ronaldo after their penalty shoot-out win in Moscow

Rooney, pictured in the 2008 Champions League final against Chelsea, believes the United vintage from that year are superior to Manchester City's current crop under Pep Guardiola

After 18 games, United had 42 points, only one more than Jose Mourinho's current team.

Rooney said: 'I'm not sure they are quite there. They would have to keep going and do a lot more. I would go with the United team from 2008. There are so many great teams throughout the years in the Premier League.

'This City team need to win trophies and do it for a longer period to be in that bracket.'

Yet man to man, how do they compare to Ferguson's second Champions League-winning team? Sportsmail analyses the two sides.

Manchester City have made a blistering start to the season and are odds-on to win the league

City have been transformed into a formidable attacking force under Pep Guardiola's guidance

Goalkeeper

Edwin Van Der Sar - 8/10

The Dutch giant won Sir Alex Ferguson his second Champions League with a sprawling penalty save to deny Nicolas Anelka in Moscow. No fuss, no panic and always kept United's defence at ease.

Edwin can der Sar celebrates during United's penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea back in 2008

Ederson - 7.5/10

Fantastic start to life in English football and produced a crucial moment with the fabulous double save in the derby against United. Only a couple of seasons under his belt as a first-team goalkeeper so it is early to rank him as an equal to Van der Sar but the potential is vast.

Goalkeeper Ederson has been an excellent addition to the Manchester City team this season

Defence

Kyle Walker - 8/10

Eyebrows were raised when City invested £54m this summer but the decision has been vindicated. He is Guardiola's new Dani Alves, raiding down the right flank and offering City's attacking play a new dimension.

£54million summer signing Kyle Walker has offered Man City another dimension going forward

Wes Brown - 6.5/10

At his best, Brown was an imposing and committed central defender. Only injuries prevented him becoming a United great in that position. Yet in the absence of Gary Neville in the 2007/08 season, Brown offered solidity at full-back and created the opening goal for Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League final victory over Chelsea.

Wes Brown (left) parades the trophy with Ronaldo after United's win in Moscow

Rio Ferdinand - 8.5/10

Arguably the Premier League's greatest defender. Guardiola would have loved to coach Ferdinand, with his poise on the ball and sure-footedness when defending in one-on-one situations.

Rio Ferdinand was United's defensive linchpin during their successful 2007-08 season 

John Stones - 7.5/10

A bright start to the season sadly curtailed by injury but he will have a major part to play in the second half of the campaign. His defending has improved this season and he is a certainty to be at the heart of England's defence next summer.

John Stones has earned a place at the heart of Manchester City's defence this season

Nemanja Vidic - 8.5/10

The steel to Ferdinand's silk, the fire to his ice, Vidic was everything Ferguson loved in his defenders. Forward's would shrink against Vidic's ferocity.

Nemanja Vidic was a rock at the heart of United's defence during their twin triumphs of 2008

Nicolas Otamendi - 7/10

Having a really good campaign and has overcome many of the question marks over his impulsive defending. But still always feel there may be an error waiting around the corner.

Nicolas Otamendi has answered some of the questions surrounding his defensive play

Patrice Evra - 7/10

Combative in the tackle and dangerous when he made those penetrative runs on the overlap and underlap. Could occasionally be dozy from a defensive point of view but United supporters still cherish the Frenchman.

Patrice Evra celebrates with Ryan Giggs after United's famous Moscow win in 2008

Fabian Delph - 6/10

Has performed well in an unfamiliar position and excelled against the lesser lights. Yet positional naivety appeared when he lost Marcus Rashford at Old Trafford last week and Europe's best may expose Delph.

Fabian Delph in action for Manchester City during their 4-1 win over Tottenham on Saturday

Midfield

Fernandinho - 8.5/10

Is there anything the Brazilian cannot do? His passing is crisp, he has ceaseless energy, his tackles are firm and his shots are hard. One of City's most crucial players that provides such balance.

Fernandinho takes on Tottenham's Mousa Dembele during City's latest Premier League win

Michael Carrick - 7.5/10

Carrick was the man replaced to sign Roy Keane and although he operated very differently to the Irishman, he had his own manner of dominating football matches. His intelligent use of the ball and smart anticipation helped United rediscover their verve and composure in Europe.

Michael Carrick in action for United back in 2008 - he brought composure in midfield

Kevin De Bruyne - 9/10

A stunning footballer improving by the week. He dictates the rhythm of City's play, he slices defences open with one swish of that right boot, he switches the play supremely and he is a clinical finisher. The Premier League's outstanding player this season.

Kevin de Bruyne has elevated his game to a new level this season and is still getting better

Paul Scholes - 8/10

Reinvented himself by 2008 to become a deep lying quarter-back style playmaker. Those who played with him marvel over him and those who played against him rave.

Paul Scholes reinvented himself in a deep-lying playmaker role in 2008 to terrific effect

David Silva - 8.5/10

Some City fans believe he is the club's greatest ever player. He may even have a statue one day. There was a period during Manuel Pellegrini's reign where City feared Silva's flame may be burning out but he is revitalised under Guardiola. He has the Spanish flair but has also developed greater grit and is among City's fiercest competitors.

David Silva gets some guidance from his manager Pep Guardiola during the win at Swansea

Ryan Giggs - 7.5/10

Slightly lower rating as it was not one of Giggs' best United seasons. Still, he managed to score a crucial goal at Wigan on the day United clinched the title and he scored the last penalty in the shootout victory over Chelsea.

Ryan Giggs lifts the Premier League trophy in 2008 after United won the title at Wigan

Forwards

Raheem Sterling - 8/10

Sterling is radically improved, having now scored 15 goals before Christmas and providing sharp movement and high pressing for City. Still get the feeling there is much more to come yet from the 23-year-old.

Raheem Sterling has improved dramatically under the guidance of manager Pep Guardiola

Wayne Rooney - 8/10

Rooney in tandem with Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez was a sight to relish. They tore through teams on the counter-attack with devastating pace and panache. Rooney was sometimes asked to sacrifice himself on the wings in the biggest games but he performed his task with diligence.

Wayne Rooney was integral to United's success during the 2007-08 season, scoring regularly 

Sergio Aguero - 8/10

Only two goals in the last 13 for Gabriel Jesus so I'm giving Aguero the nod here. Aguero has 13 goals this season and although we have wondered just what he has to do to win Guardiola over, he remains a magnificent goal scorer that would enhance every Premier League team.

Sergio Aguero in action during City's win over Tottenham at the weekend 

Carlos Tevez - 7/10

Tevez brought bite and class to United's frontline and Guardiola would have appreciated his tenacity. Also had a habit of scoring late and important goals for United - which is never a bad thing with Sir Alex around.

Carlos Tevez brought tenacity to United's forward line and scored a number of crucial goals

Leroy Sane - 7.5/10

His pace and directness is thrilling to watch and a throwback to days when high-speed wings were the norm. He hugs the touchline, makes goals and score goals. A player that would have fitted in so well to a Ferguson team.

Leroy Sane offers City pace and directness when going forward on the attack

Cristiano Ronaldo - 9.5/10

This was his greatest campaign as a United player. The 42 goals, including that thumping header at Roma, the scorching free-kick against Portsmouth and a goal in the Champions League final. The best season from a United individual during the Ferguson era.

Ronaldo was truly the star of United's 2008 vintage, scoring many brilliant goals

Total scores

Manchester United 2007/08: 86

Manchester City 2017/18: 85.5