Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney targets record-breaking goal sooner rather later

• e-mail

Wayne Rooney paid tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton as he equalled his 43-year club record of scoring 249 goals for Manchester United — but vowed to go one better later this week and break it. 

Sir Bobby, aged 79, was sat in the stands at Old Trafford to witness Rooney's seventh-minute strike and led the applause for the United captain as he helped his team to a 4-0 win over Reading in the FA Cup third round. 

Having already surpassed Sir Bobby's England goalscoring record, with 53 goals, and David Beckham's record for England caps for an outfield player, Rooney is now poised to take Sir Bobby's club goalscoring record, even though he is likely to start on the bench against Hull City in the EFL Cup semi-final on Tuesday and against Liverpool next Sunday. 

Wayne Rooney has equalled Sir Bobby Charlton's record as all time Manchester United scorer

The strike was Rooney's 249th for United and he saluted the Old Trafford crowd in celebration

'I'm really honoured to be up there alongside Sir Bobby,' said Rooney. 'It's a proud moment, especially to do so at such a massive club like Manchester United. I'm hugely honoured to be able to play for this football club. Hopefully I'll be there out on my own soon but I'll enjoy today because it's a real honour. 

'I'm enjoying my football and I'm thankful to score again. It's a huge part of my life, this football club, and of course you want to break records in front of your home fans. We've got two home games coming up so hopefully I can get the next one in one of those games. 

'I'm delighted for today though and more importantly the result. There were a lot of changes and the lads have come in and shown they're ready if needed.'

His manager Jose Mourinho added his own tribute. 'Everyone knows who Sir Bobby is and what he means for the history of the club and the history of English football,' said Mourinho. 'For Wayne to score that number of goals for Manchester United is fantastic.

Rooney was able to score the record equalling goal in front of the Old Trafford faithful

It took Rooney just over six minutes of his recall to level Charlton's record, beating Ali Al Habsi

Jose Mourinho added his own tribute and said that Rooney's best day would come

'But the best day will arrive for him,' added Mourinho, referring to the imminent prospect of Rooney breaking the record. 'This is not the best day. It's just a question of when.'

Manchester United treble winner Jaap Stam, manager of the beaten Reading side, also praised Rooney's longevity and class. 'I think Wayne is a really great player,' said Stam. 'He is a player who works really hard for the team and you could see that again today. 

'The work rate he has and the qualities he has, makes him an outstanding player. It's not a surprise he scores so many goals. Even when they were 4-0 up, he is sprinting and running and it's quite difficult to understand that people were doubting what he could bring to the team. He is quality.'