Football News : Sir Alex tips Rooney to break Man Utd record

By ESPNsoccernet staff

Sir Alex Ferguson has tipped Wayne Rooney to eclipse
Sir Bobby Charlton as Manchester United's all-time leading scorer.

PA PhotosManchester United's Wayne Rooney celebrates after he scores his side's third goal against Chelsea

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Rooney scored nine goals in seven games early in the season, before injury halted his run
last month and forced him to spend two weeks on the sidelines. But with the striker back in action and on England duty in Montenegro this week, Ferguson raised the prospect of the forward overtaking Charlton at the top of
the club's scoring charts.

"I do [think he can eclipse that feat]," Ferguson told Inside United. "He is only 25 years of age, so you'd think he has at least another five years in him at the very top level. And if he looks after himself like Ryan Giggs has done, he could play well
into his 30s.

"The opportunity is there and time is on his side. He's raced out of the
blocks already this season and I hope he could get up to around the 30 mark."

Rooney is currently ninth on the list, with 156 goals - 93 behind Charlton, who
amassed an impressive 247 before his 17-year stint with the club ended in 1973.