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Sports News of Sunday, 19 April 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Rooney tips Kane to break his England goal-scoring record

Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton

Manchester United and England legend, Wayne Rooney, has tipped Tottenham striker, Harry Kane to break his international goal scoring record.

Rooney who is now a player-coach at Derby County broke the 50-year gaol scoring record of Sir Bobby Charlton at both club and international levels.

He netted 253 times to top Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time record at United, before also surpassing 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 goalscorer.

"I was never a Gary Lineker or a Ruud van Nistelrooy."

"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," he added.

"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."

Speaking about Harry Kane setting a new benchmark for the Three Lions, Rooney said:

"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," he added.

"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.

Rooney, however, said that he doesn't see his United record being broken anytime soon.

"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."

BBC