Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 10y

Sir Bobby Charlton happy if Wayne Rooney breaks scoring record

Sir Bobby Charlton claims he will be happy when Wayne Rooney breaks his England goalscoring record.

The World Cup winner scored 49 goals for his country and has held the record since 1968, when he passed Jimmy Greaves' total of 44.

Rooney, who has been appointed England captain, currently has 41 and has been open about his ambition to pass the 76-year-old, who was part of the team that triumphed in the 1966 World Cup.

And Charlton told PA Sport at the Soccerex Convention in Manchester: "He is really keen to break my record, which seems to have stood for a long time. I've told him not to worry too much. He has my backing. I'll be quite happy when it comes.

"I told him: 'Think hard about it and maybe you'll have some good news.' I've had good news from it all my life. I don't mind him taking it.

"It would a great achievement -- and it would be a change for me. That's good. He's a good lad and I don't mind it at all."

Rooney is also chasing a second record Charlton holds. The United director scored 249 goals for the club and the 28-year-old, who has 217 to his name, is on course to beat that tally in 2016 if he continues at his current rate.

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