Rooney In Numbers

Wayne Rooney has equalled Sir 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 - recalled to the starting XI after missing three games with a thigh injury - 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 Juan Mata's cross, before celebrating the landmark strike with a fist-pump. United went on to win the match 4-0.

Both Charlton and Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager who brought Rooney to Old Trafford, were seen smiling among the spectators after the goal.

Two seasons ago, England skipper Rooney also surpassed Charlton as his country's all-time top scorer in the Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland.

One more goal will bring up his 250th in a United shirt and put him alone at the top of an impressive list of club icons.

Which goal was his best? Here, we pick out five top strikes...

Man Utd 6 Fenerbahce 2 (Champions League, September 28, 2004)
Rooney enjoyed a startling start to life at Old Trafford, launching himself into the footballing stratosphere with a debut hat-trick. Two fine first-half efforts were followed by a superb David Beckham-esque free-kick seven minutes after the break.

Man Utd 2 Newcastle 1 (Premier League, April 24, 2005)
Having fallen behind to a Darren Ambrose strike, Rooney inspired a comeback with an exceptional second-half volley. Meeting a headed clearance by Peter Ramage, the forward hit the sweetest of strikes beyond the helpless Shay Given.

Man Utd 2 Arsenal 0 (Premier League, April 9, 2006)
A goal that epitomised Rooney's touch, composure and striking ability. Taking down a superb left-wing cross from Mikael Silvestre with aplomb, he then showed his cutting edge to rifle home magnificently.

Man Utd 2 Man City 1 (Premier League, February 12, 2011)
A goal that will live long in the memory and go down as one of the finest strikes to light up the Manchester derby. Watching Nani's floated 77th-minute cross, Rooney leapt to send a sensational overhead kick past rooted City goalkeeper Joe Hart.

West Ham 0 Man Utd 2 (Premier League, March 22, 2014)
In a goal similar in audacity and skill to Beckham's wonder strike at Wimbledon in 1996, Rooney fired home a breathtaking goal from 58 yards having outmuscled James Tomkins to turn and hit a half-volley over Adrian.

CAREER IN NUMBERS...

6th - Place on the all-time appearance list at Old Trafford behind the likes of Ryan Giggs, Charlton, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes.

72 - Number of goals scored in one season for Liverpool Boys when he was 11 years old.

17 years and 111 days - When making his first England appearance against Australia in February 2003, making him the second youngest debutant ever.

£30,000,000 - The then world-record fee for a teenager United spent to sign Rooney from boyhood club Everton.

17 - Goals scored in 43 appearances during his first season at United, leading him to being named 2005 PFA Young Player of the Year - an award he won again the following season.

5 - Premier League titles won during his time at Old Trafford.

27 - The most league goals scored in a campaign during his time at United in the 2011/12 season.

1 - Champions League triumph after overcoming Chelsea on penalties in 2008.

53 - International goals makes him the top-scoring England player of all-time.

119 - Caps put him second only to Peter Shilton terms of appearances for England.

Credit: Skysports.com