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WAYNE ROONEY is on the way to being seen as the world's best player a year after hitting his lowest point. Patrice Evra has watched Rooney's incredible redemption over the last 12 months. And the Frenchman said of his Manchester United team-mate: "You can see his hunger. Last season, he had some problems but now he is back. "He wants to show what a top player he is. We are very happy and glad for him. He plays so well for us. "He is a great professional and a top player. He wants to be the best player in the world. He just has to keep doing what he is doing." On Saturday, Rooney became only the fourth player in Premier League history to hit back-to-back hat-tricks. His treble in a 5-0 thumping of Bolton at the Reebok came exactly 12 months after he had been left out of the team to face Everton to protect him from verbal abuse after his his dalliance with a prostitute had been made public. It was a dark time for Rooney off the back of an awful World Cup and before he tried to quit Old Trafford for good. This term he has scored eight goals and left strike partner Javier Hernandez gasping. Hernandez said: "Wayne Rooney is unbelievable. He can do anything on a pitch." Next up it is Benfica in the Champions League in Lisbon on Wednesday, then Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday. Victory over the Blues would increase the feeling that the title race will be won by either United or crosstown rivals Manchester City. The pair meet for the first time in the Premier League at Old Trafford on October 23. And Evra added: "When I see people, the first question they ask me is what date is the derby."