The England and Manchester United goalscorer, Wayne Rooney says he was not a “natural” and he should have scored more career goals despite being the best in England and Man United.
United’s record-breaking goalscorer, Wayne Rooney, scored 253 goals to break Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time record at the Red Devils. He moreover surpassed the latter’s England tally with 53.
Writing in his Sunday Times column, the 34-year-old said, “This might surprise you. But I’m not a natural goal scorer.”
“I was never a Gary Lineker or a Ruud van Nistelrooy.”
At 16, Rooney appeared into the scene with the boyhood club Everton. The legend earned a big-money move to Old Trafford in 2004 where he went on to make a total of 559 appearances.
He also won 120 caps for his country.
“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.” He added.
“I played for United for 13 years. England for 15 years. I had time to break those records. And on looking back, I should have scored more.”
More to this, the Derby County player-coach (Rooney) believes the current England striker, Harry Kane will set a new benchmark.
He says, “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 (Kane) 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 for 50 years. I hope it’s not so long for me.”
“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.”