Wayne Rooney upbeat over England's World Cup chances

LONDON - Wayne Rooney has insisted after more than 40 years of hurt, England can defy the odds and win the World Cup.

There are many pundits who think Roy Hodgson's men will struggle to get out of a pool in Brazil that also includes Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica, let alone win the World Cup.

However, Rooney speaking at an event for sponsors' Samsung said Wednesday: "I think we can. We have to believe, even if no-one else will."

Rooney will find himself up against a familiar foe in Liverpool striker Luis Suarez when England play Uruguay in the World Cup.

The United man has no doubt Suarez, who has already scored 31 Premier League goals this season, is one of the world's leading players but Rooney believes a former Old Trafford team-mate is top of the pile.

"Cristiano Ronaldo and probably Luis Suarez a close second," he said when asked who was the best player in the world at the moment.

He added: "The best player I've ever played with is between two -- Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes.

"Scholesy controlled the game and passed the ball around but in terms of winning games -- Cristiano Ronaldo."

Asked if he would in future like to move into coaching, in a manner similar to current United team-mate Ryan Giggs, Rooney said: "Honestly I don't know, I could be a manager at some point.

"It would depend on circumstances in my life and what chapter of my life I was at with my family and which club it would be."