The Manchester United striker missed out as team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand headed a five-man Premier League presence in the prestigious line-up, nominated by players from more than 40 countries.

Although his run of nine goals in seven games came to an end in stormy fashion at former club Everton on Saturday, by his own admission, Rooney is playing the best football of his career and it would be no surprise if he was back on the goal trail against West Ham tomorrow.

Taylor has a unique focus on Rooney. With his FIFPro hat on, he wants to see talent develop across the world but has a special interest making sure English stars fulfil their potential, as PFA chief executive.

And he is confident the 23-year-old has the ability to be regarded as a member of the elite.

Taylor explained: "There is no reason Wayne cannot go on to do what Cristiano and Rio have done.

"He wants to be the best in England and the world. It can't happen overnight because he is still a young man developing.

"But the form Wayne has burst into this October has been like watching a young shoot blossoming.

"He has been helped by the way he has been played and getting goals for England because I think he found that frustrating.

"Playing with lads like Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov is a challenge but he has shown himself capable of being the main focus."

Prior to his recent scoring burst, there were plenty who claimed Rooney had not become the player he was expected to be when he first made David Moyes' side at Everton.

Yet those lofty predictions for a 16-year-old were unfair, given he was expected to become a talent on a par with Pele and Diego Maradona.

Instead, Rooney is now a pivotal member of a United side that won the Champions League last term in addition to back-to-back title successes on the domestic front.

"He has not under-achieved," said Taylor.

"Wayne has had an expectation placed upon him from a very early age, which is a worry.

"The same happened with Andrew Flintoff and, now, with Louis Hamilton. We tend to build people up too soon and can't wait to knock them down, when what we should really be after is patience.

"There are very few shadows in football where you can learn your trade. Sir Alex has done very well in the way he introduced his youngsters and David Moyes did well with Wayne early on."

Ronaldo is the person Rooney must emulate if he is to become the best on the planet.

While there was debate over the pair's respective talents, for the moment at least, there is none.

With 42 goals, Ronaldo made a devastating contribution to United's season of glory and Taylor feels he is a worthy successor to previous winners Ronaldinho and Kaka - even if some Red Devils supporters will argue he is no George Best.

"You will never convince George Best lovers he was not number one," said Taylor.

"But once you are selected by your fellow professionals you are up there with the very pantheons.

"It is not easy. He has gone through quite a few crisis' publicity-wise but he has kept his cool and come through the other side.

"Hopefully he can sustain it because there is no better player on the planet and we should feel proud and privileged he is with us."