GETTY
The former Old Trafford captain believes Pep Guardiola’s City are not far off his best Barcelona side that conquered Spain and Europe.
City are currently 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League table but even the signing of Alexis Sanchez by United may not be enough to close the gap next season.
Rooney said: “In terms of catching Manchester City, I think certainly not this season.
“If I’m being perfectly honest I think it will be very difficult next season if Manchester City keep playing the way they’re playing.
“They are almost getting into the level Barcelona were at four or five years ago.”
“It will be very difficult next season”
Former Man Utd star Wayne Rooney
Sanchez made his home debut for United on Saturday and got his first goal in a 2-0 win over Huddersfield and Rooney believes he will be a terrific signing.
United’s record goalscorer added: “For me he is the perfect player for Manchester United, he’s got aggression, he’s got passion, desire and you can see he is a winner.
“That is sort of what Manchester United have lacked. (They need) players around Romelu Lukaku who are going to push him on and try to help him get a bit more freedom and score more.
“Sanchez will do that. Almost like Tevez when he joined United.
“Them players lift the other players and get an extra five or 10 per cent out of the players around them. I think Alexis Sanchez will do that.”