In recent times it looked like Wayne Rooney would fall just shy of Bobby Charlton's goal scoring record for Manchester United. Yet, today, - his 13th season with the club - Rooney cemented his legacy at Old Trafford for eternity with a wonderful free kick from the edge of the area.
It seemed likely that José Mourinho's side were going to taste defeat for the first time in the Premier League since the 23rd of October as they trailed Stoke 1-0 at the Bet365 Stadium. With moments left in the game, Joe Allen gave away a foul on the edge of the area.
Wayne Rooney stood over the ball but could he really do it on a mild afternoon in Stoke? Evidently so. Manchester United's captain held his arms aloft and subsequently sent the away end into delirium. Goal number 250.
At 31 years of age, Rooney broke Charlton's record which previously stood for 44 years.
Naturally, the achievement overshadowed the fact that the Liverpool-born striker in fact also broke Alan Shearer's record of scoring the most amount of away goals in the Premier League. It now stands at 88.
Whether or not Wayne Rooney is over/underrated is void. The footballing world should be glad to view a genuine goalscorer writing his name in the history books with a phenomenal finish.
Rio Ferdinand took to Facebook to congratulate his former teammate and predicts that Rooney will feature outside Old Trafford alongside George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton;
He's hit 250 and people are still doubting this fella. There'll be statues. There will be statues.
Serious record for @WayneRooney top goal scorer for top Premiership club over last decade. Loyal, committed & still has loads to offer 🙌
— Paul Flynn (@Flinto23) January 21, 2017
Well done to Wayne Rooney a great achievement 250 goals at Man Utd & to be their leading goalscorer. Even better he's a Scouser!
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) January 21, 2017
.@SirBobby was one of the first to congratulate the man who claimed his #MUFC goalscoring record. Class. #ROONEY250 pic.twitter.com/iNv1LXVYY9
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 21, 2017
Record breaker! Well done legend 🔴 @WayneRooney pic.twitter.com/hApt4M9aX1
— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) January 21, 2017
Well done Wazza 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 making history !! @waynerooney @ManUtd https://t.co/x8BZUoOZYZ
— Marouane Fellaini (@Fellaini) January 21, 2017
Now you better believe it...... Well done lad @WayneRooney you legend. I just screamed down the hotel lobby in Larnaca 🇨🇾 #mufc #Rooney pic.twitter.com/SB2l70ulH3
— Lianne Sanderson (@liannesanderson) January 21, 2017
Martin Tyler is going to be absolutely devastated that Wayne Rooney's beaten the record during a non-televised 3pm kick-off.
— Jonny Sharples (@JonnyGabriel) January 21, 2017
Congratulations @WayneRooney on an incredible achievement
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) January 21, 2017
There's only one Wayne Rooney !!! Congratulations @WayneRooney #ClubRecord #MUFC
— Mikael Silvestre (@IamMSilvestre) January 21, 2017
Congratulations in your achievement @WayneRooney was a pleasure to play with you. ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
— Rafael da Silva (@orafa2) January 21, 2017
