Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has become the second highest goalscorer in Premier League history after netting against Swansea City on Saturday, January 2.
The England and Man United captain had been level with former-United striker Andrew Cole for some time as goals dried up for him in the top division of English football. With a cheeky flick against Swansea though, Rooney has become outright second highest goalscorer in both Premier League and Manchester United history, overtaking Denis Law for the Reds.
Rooney scores - Swansea to break 2 records
United won 2-1 to stop a run of eight games without a win. Recently named European Golden Boy Anthony Martial scored the opener for United with a powerful header into the ground and past Lukas Fabianski. An equaliser from Gylfi Sigurdsson caused worry for the Reds but Rooney's superb finish saw them take a much-needed three points, having dropped to seventh.
Rooney's goal was his 188th in the Premier League and is now only second to Alan Shearer who scored 260 times in the competition. It is unlikely he will level him, with age against him. He turned 30 in October and this season has been his worst in many years, especially in terms of league goals. However, Rooney has his eyes firmly set on Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 260 goals for Manchester United.
United captain overtakes Cole and Law
With his goal on Saturday, the United captain passed Denis Law's 237 for the club, netting his 238th in his 11th year with United.
He hadn't scored for 553 minutes in all competitions for United and there has been talk of him not deserving the place most assume he will have in the England squad for this summer's European Championships. Despite being captain of his country, many England fans are disappointed to see him constantly get a place in the team without performing at club level.
However, he did just break Charlton's England record of 49 goals, scoring against Switzerland in September for his 50th all-important goal in a special atmosphere.
There is no doubt that his career has had downs, with two transfer requests handed in at United, whom he joined aged 16. This has led to some United fans hating their captain, but what there is also no doubt about, is he is a great of the English game, even if purely for his on-the-pitch performances.