Rooney Wants Legend Status

6 November 09 by Bill

Wayne Rooney may be a legend to some already, but on paper and in the history books he is overshadowed by names such as Ryan Giggs, Bobby Charlton, Jack Rowley and George Best.

Giggs, 34, is the most decorated player in the Premier League’s history and tops the club’s appearance charts having played in an amazing 816 (and counting) matches for the club in a career spanning nearly 20 years. Rooney, in his sixth season at United, has clocked up 252 appearances and found the net on 105 occasions.

At just 24 and with is game based on vision, strength and graft there is no reason Rooney can’t play on for another ten years and possibly even more. With that in mind, Rooney is setting his sights high and Giggs is his target.

“The way his life is, you have got to have great respect for the way he handles himself” Rooney said of Giggs.

“You look at the things he’s done and won – for me he’s the perfect role model and I hope I can reach 800 appearances for United.

“I have always said I would love to end my career here and if I could emulate what Giggsy has done at this club it would be an amazing achievement.”

It seems unlikely Rooney will break Giggs’ record, especially when you consider the Welshman is still putting in performances of the highest quality and so another season after the current one could well be on the cards. Giggs could realistically have notched up 850 appearances before he finally calls it a day and for Rooney to match that, he’d need to pull on the famous red shirt another 600 times; it’s an admirable target but one even Rooney will struggle to match.

A record that is not so far from reach is that of the club’s top goal scorer. Rooney is already sitting 18th in the club’s all time list with 105 goals; 144 goals short of Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 249.

Rooney has a strike rate of one goal every 0.42 games in his time at United. If he can keep that up, he’ll pass Sir Bobby’s record in his 600th appearance for the club and if he makes it to 800? Well, he’ll not only top the charts, he’ll be head and shoulders above the rest leaving a legacy no Red will ever forget.