‘If Messi Or Ronaldo Join Manchester United, They Will Break My Record,’ Claims Legendary Striker

Wayne Rooney has said that his all-time record of most goals in Manchester United might last longer unless Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo joins the club for a “swansong.”

Rooney, who holds the record for most goals for Man Utd and England, beat Sir Bobby Charlton's record at Old Trafford by netting as many as 253 times and he surpassed the latter to become England’s all-time highest scorer by clinching 53 goals.

Rooney, who wrote a column in the Sunday Times, said he should have scored more goals despite not being a “natural goalscorer.”

“This might surprise you, but I'm not a natural goalscorer. I was never a Gary Lineker or a Ruud van Nistelrooy,” he wrote.

The English forward began his professional career at his boyhood club, Everton, as a 16-year-old. He scored 17 times in 77 appearances before he made a huge jump by signing with the Red Devils ahead of the 2004-05 season. The former Premier League champions spent $32 million and the transfer became the highest ever fee paid for a teenager as Rooney was 18 when he moved to Old Trafford.

While there were several whispers against this move from the club, Rooney went on to become the highest goal-scorer of Man Utd having made 559 appearances, across competitions. He also captained the side before he made his exit in 2017 after spending 13 long years at Old Trafford. Rooney also bagged 120 caps for his country where he scored 53 goals.

“I hold the goal records for Manchester United and England and I'm very proud about that - yet there have been better number nines than me. How did I become a record-breaker if I wasn't a natural scorer? Time."

"I played for United for 13 years, England for 15 years. I had time to break those records - and looking back I should have scored more,” added Rooney in the column.

Rooney, who is now Derby County’s player-coach, has insisted that he is certain Harry Kane will break his England record of most goals. “I don't think it will take long for Harry Kane to claim my England record and it would be a proud moment for me. If I were building a team, he is the one I'd start with."

"I've never been a selfish player and it would be great for England for Harry to get there. Bobby Charlton had to wait 50 years - I hope it's not so long for me,” the 34-year-old further said.

Rooney also believes that his Man Utd record of 253 goals might last longer because “players don’t stay at clubs as long as they used to.”

“The United record might last longer simply because players don't stay at clubs as long as they used to. Mind you, if Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo came to Old Trafford for a swansong they would probably break it in three or four years,” added Rooney.