Wayne Rooney has equalled Bobby Charlton’s all-time Manchester United scoring record after notching his 249th goal in the FA Cup tie with Reading at Old Trafford.
The 31-year-old scored in the seventh minute of his 543rd United appearance to move alongside Charlton having played 215 fewer games than the England great.
Rooney, who joined United from Everton in 2004 and scored a Champions League hat-trick on his debut against Fenerbahce, turned home a fortuitous volley from Juan Mata’s cross after Anthony Martial had burst into the box.
Two seasons ago, England skipper Rooney also surpassed Charlton as his country’s all-time top scorer in the Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland.
After missing three games with a thigh injury, Rooney was recalled to the starting line-up for the third-round contest with the Royals and started brightly, flicking on for Marcus Rashford to fire wide inside the first minute.
Moments later he had the chance to equal Charlton’s record when he brought down Marcos Rojo’s long pass but Reading goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi denied him.
However, history would not have to wait much longer as Rooney found the net in the seventh minute.
From the left, Martial knocked the ball past Wales international Chris Gunter and found Mata inside, with his clip across being converted by Rooney, who managed to beat Al Habsi despite not getting a clean contact on his attempt.
The United skipper greeted the landmark with a small fist pump while the PA announcer mentioned his landmark strike while reading out the scorer’s name to the crowd.
Both Charlton and Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager who brought Rooney to Old Trafford 13 years earlier, were seen smiling amongst the spectators after the strike.
Speaking about the goal at half-time on BT Sport, former United midfielder Paul Scholes said: “Yes, it is a great achievement. It’s been a long time in coming.
“It’s great for him, we are so happy for him and hopefully he can go on and break the record. What a career, what a signing and his longevity as well. He’s still got the hunger and desire to score goals and win trophies for this football club.”
On the goal, he added: “Any player, even me, doesn’t care where it (the goal) comes as long as it hits the back of the net – it still means the same thing.”
No-one has scored more goals for #MUFC than @WayneRooney! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/3l7UdGeTgJ
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 7, 2017
Congratulations @WayneRooney for equalling Sir Bobby's record 👍
— Bryan Robson (@bryanrobson) January 7, 2017
Wayne Rooney scores and equals Sir Bobby Charlton's record of being @ManUtd 's all time leading goalscorer.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 7, 2017
249 goals well done @WayneRooney
— Philip Neville (@fizzer18) January 7, 2017
