Rooney's Record Chasing

Wayne Rooney is edging ever closer to two remarkable career landmarks as he chases Sir Bobby Charlton's goalscoring records for club and country.

In England colours, Rooney moved ahead of boyhood idol Michael Owen with his winner in last week's friendly victory against Norway, and took his international tally to 41. Sir Bobby's long-standing total of 49 goals has eluded the likes of Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer since, but Rooney marches on toward matching and beating it.

The United and England captain is also bearing down on Sir Bobby's mountainous 249-goal haul at Old Trafford, which has stood for more than 40 years. Rooney is currently on 217 for the Reds and needs 33 to overtake one of United's greatest ever servants and goal-getters.

Rooney has long had his eye on both records and said this week: "I watched Michael Owen as a boy growing up, so to go above him in the goalscoring charts [with England] is great. I'd be a fool if I didn't look at Sir Bobby's record and feel capable of passing him. It's in my sights.

"Both records [for United and England] have stood for a long time, and a lot of players have attempted to break them. Now they're in touching distance. It's something I'd love to do. I feel I'm capable of doing it."

The question is, which record will fall first? The England tally is closest but then they play fewer games in a season, and Rooney has twice totted up 34 goals in a campaign (2009/10 and 2011/12), which would be enough to eclipse Sir Bobby.

Going for goals

Manchester United
Sir Bobby Charlton 249
Wayne Rooney 217

England
Sir Bobby Charlton 49
Wayne Rooney 41