Neville Backs Record Rooney

Gary Neville has backed Wayne Rooney to break Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time scoring record for Manchester United.

Charlton scored 249 times in 758 games for the Red Devils during a distinguished 17-year career at Old Trafford and still holds the record after 36 years.

Rooney is not even halfway towards the monumental target with the penalty he scored against Arsenal last weekend taking him to 102 United goals.

The 23-year-old is 18th on the all-time list and still has team-mates Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, who broke Charlton's all-time appearance record in the UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea in 2008, ahead of him in the charts although Rooney does have time on his side.

"There is a long time to go before he gets there but Wayne does have an opportunity to beat Bobby Charlton's scoring record," Neville said.

"He will have to play a lot more games and stay clear of injury because that record has stood for many years and will be very difficult to break.

"But a player of his ability should score more goals. He plays centre-forward for Manchester United. That points you in the right direction."