da pixbet： It’s been a difficult season for Wayne Rooney, losing his place in both the Manchester United and England starting XIs – not a great situation for captain of club and country.
da betcris： But let’s not forget, Wazza Roo is still one of the greatest and most talented players to ever grace the Premier League; a five-time title winner who is now just three goals behind the legendary Bobby Charlton in the Red Devils’ all-time top scorer charts.
And the 30-year-old’s potential record break has got us at FootballFanCast thinking about his scoring history since first featuring in the Premier League for Everton all the way back in 2002.
So is the United skipper a flat-track bully or has he proved the difference in big games? Well, as our gallery shows, Rooney boasts some impressive returns against England’s biggest clubs – suggesting, despite his recent form, he deserves to be remembered as one of his era’s genuine greats.
10. Bolton Wanderers – 14 Apps, Nine Goals, Four Assists
Doing well against Manchester United’s lesser neighbours is a common theme throughout this gallery, starting with an impressive record versus Bolton Wanderers. Despite once serving as the Red Devils’ bogey team, Rooney’s played his part in just under one goal per match.
9. Tottenham Hotspur – 19 Apps, Ten Goals, Three Assists
The first of the high-profile opposition that was alluded to in the introduction. Rooney’s netted past Tottenham Hotspur on ten occasions – his most recent strike coming in March 2015.
8. Wigan Athletic – 15 Apps, Ten Goals, Eight Assists
The first club on this list Rooney has contributed to more goals than made appearances against, Wazza Roo clearly loves the short trip from Old Trafford to Wigan. Bizarrely, however, he didn’t manage to find the net as United smacked the Latics for five back in 2011.
7. Manchester City – 29 Apps, Eleven Goals, Two Assists
The involvement of the noisy neighbours in this gallery will bring delight to the faces of many a United fan. Indeed, the Manchester derby is more important to the successes of both clubs than ever and Rooney’s certainly pulled his weight down the years, hitting eleven goals.
6. Fulham – 23 Apps, Twelve Goals, Four Assists
The England skipper’s strike-rate against Fulham is better than one-in-two, whilst he’s also managed to contribute four set-ups in 23 outings. Overall, however, fans my find this return a little underwhelming – there’s always been a huge chasm of quality between the Cottagers and United.
5. West Ham – 20 Apps, Twelve Goals, Four Assists
Rooney boasts an equal return against West Ham but managed it in three less appearances. That includes a match in 2014 that saw Rooney get on the score sheet but also pick up a red card.
4. Portsmouth – 15 Apps, Twelve Goals, Two Assists
He may have less assists versus Portsmouth, but we’re putting Pompey fourth in this list because of Rooney’s superior strike-rate against them. Indeed, the veteran forward has been responsible for 14 goals in 15 outings – impressive stuff.
3. Arsenal – 32 Apps, 14 goals, Seven Assists
Perhaps the biggest indicator of Rooney delivering the goods on the big stage. Arsenal and United have been direct competitors for much of the 30-year-old’s Old Trafford career but he’s always put the Gunners to the sword, notching up 14 goals and seven assists in 32 outings versus the Gunners.
2. Newcastle – 24 Apps, 14 goals, Nine Assists
Newcastle United always tend to feature on lists of this variety and they unfortunately rank second in this instance. Rooney’s record includes a brace against the Magpies last season as they plummeted towards the Championship, in a memorable 3-3 at St. James’ Park.
1. Aston Villa – 29 Apps, 15 goals, Six Assists
So there you have it, Aston Villa are the club Wayne Rooney’s scored the most goals against. His strike-rate is better with one-in-two, whilst he’s also notched up an assist once in every five appearances against Villa.