Wayne Rooney makes 'bold prediction ahead of UCL semi-final between Manchester City and Real Madrid

The English legend won the competition with Manchester United in 2007-08

Veteran footballer Wayne Rooney has confidently claimed that Manchester City will defeat Real Madrid in the next UEFA Champions League semifinal. On Tuesday, May 9, the two powerhouses will face off in the first leg of their knockout match at the Bernabeu Stadium.

Rooney voiced his belief in City's ability in his essay for The Times, claiming that the Premier League powerhouses are performing at a higher level.

Manchester City will not just beat Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final — they’ll blow them away," the former England international said. "Of course, I may be wrong. There is no side better at disproving arguments against them than Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid in the Champions League. But I just think City are so good that they’re on another level."

Rooney also acknowledged Pep Guardiola's leadership abilities and the team's outstanding performance throughout the season, saying:

"Since the start of the season I’ve felt this would be the campaign when Pep Guardiola would finally conquer Europe with City and the incredible football his team have played over the past couple of months — and the way they are peaking at the right time — has only strengthened that belief."

Manchester City lost to Real Madrid in the same round of the competition the year before, but Wayne Rooney thinks the tide has reversed since City is now better on defence and has more patience in play.

Erling Haaland, who is in fine form, is critical to tipping the scales in City's favour, he emphasised, saying:

"But the biggest change is Erling Haaland, of course. It is he who really shifts the balance between these sides. At the Bernabeu, I thought City’s performance was incredible and Pep got his tactics spot-on.

The team just had a mad five minutes, which does sometimes happen. With Haaland, however, it wouldn’t have got to that stage."