Wayne Rooney May Never Get Adulation Record-Breaking Man United Career Deserves

Wayne Rooney will end his career as the greatest goalscorer in the history of both Manchester United and England.

Still only 28 years old, it's almost a formality. He took another step towards Sir Bobby Charlton's England record with a 42nd international goal against San Marino. Another eight and he will have passed Charlton's mark of 49.

He needs a few more to reach Charlton's United record of 249. On 219, he should get the 31 he needs some time next season.

He's already third on the list behind Charlton and Denis Law, ahead of some great United goalscorers like Jack Rowley, George Best, Dennis Viollet, Tommy Taylor and Eric Cantona.

Football fans love their goalscorers. It's why strikers cost so much, and why kids wander around with 9s and 10s on their replica shirts.

But while United fans have found it easy to love their most famous forwards, it's been more difficult when it comes to Rooney.

He's been at the club since he was a teenager, winning Premier League titles and the Champions League. But the deep affection United supporters have for their stars seems, at times, to be missing with Rooney.

It might be because he's from Liverpool. Or because, more than once, he's looked close to leaving Old Trafford before signing a new contract with a hefty pay rise.

Whatever it is, it's unlikely he'll be remembered as fondly as Charlton, Law or Best.

United fans don't forget their favourites. They can often be heard singing about players who have long gone. Ruud van Nistelrooy, Jaap Stam, Cristiano Ronaldo and Roy Keane. Even Wes Brown.

But it's debatable whether Rooney will ever get the same treatment. Whether, 20 years from now, the Stretford End will still be singing about the White Pele.

It's not that they don't recognise his talent. And it's too simplistic to suggest it's simply because he's unpopular. It's not.

There is, though, still a feeling that he's not fulfilled his promise. That the player we saw burst through at Everton as a 16-year-old should have achieved more. 

It might seem unfair when talking about a player who will one day break records with United and England. But it's more a comment on how good he was at 16. 

He's more mature now, more experienced. But there's a question mark over whether he's improved as much as he should have done.

Rooney will retire as one of the most successful players of his generation. Even if he never wins another medal, he'll still have a trophy cabinet most others can only dream of.

He could well set goalscoring records with United and England that might never be passed. But even if he does reach those milestones, it might never bring him the adulation and appreciation his achievements perhaps deserve.

It's something he may always be left chasing.