Rooney sets goals target

WAYNE ROONEY admits he would be stunned if he failed to eclipse his best seasonal goal tally of 23.

Rooney found the net for the 15th time this season when he scored the first goal in Manchester United’s 5–0 hammering of Wigan at Old Trafford last night.

The result took the Red Devils to within two points of Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea heading into 2010, just as Sir Alex Ferguson demanded.

In addition, United have clawed back Chelsea’s massive goal difference advantage. Now they trail by just two.

“I would hope to beat my best total,” he said. “If I don’t get another eight goals from now until the end of the season there is something seriously wrong.

Following his superb performance at Hull City on Sunday, it was another masterclass from Rooney, which drew warm praise from Ferguson.

But Rooney wasn’t alone.

Antonio Valencia had a productive night against his old club, taking his own tally to seven by netting the final goal of the year after Michael Carrick, Rafael Da Silva and Dimitar Berbatov had found the net.