Rooney Chasing 20 Goals Next Season

Wayne Rooney has set a target of at least 20 goals next season after being told he will be Manchester United's main striker.

United are in the States for their pre-season tour and manager Louis van Gaal praised his skipper on Monday while also revealing he would play in his preferred role up front.

The former Everton forward scored just 14 goals last season but is now hoping to reach 250 goals in all competitions for the Reds - a total which would overhaul Bobby Charlton's tally of 249 for the club from 1956 to 1973.

Ahead of Tuesday's match against San Jose, Rooney said: "My best position - and I've always said it - is as a striker, getting into the box.

"The two seasons I've really done that as a lone striker are my two best goalscoring seasons. I hope to score 20 or more goals again. If I'm playing as a striker, then I will be disappointed if I can't do that again.

"I've played different roles over the years for United but you only have to look when I play for England as a striker, I score goals."

Rooney's 230 goals have come in 479 games, as opposed to Charlton's 748 matches. Denis Law, who scored 237 times in only 404 games, is currently second on United's all-time list.

After Tuesday's match, United will face Barcelona on Saturday before wrapping up their tour against Paris Saint-Germain in Chicago.

Credit: Skysports.com