Wayne Rooney equals Charlton’s record
LONDON: Wayne Rooney equalled Bobby Charlton’s Manchester United scoring record as the FA Cup holders cruised into round four with a 4- 0 win over Reading on Saturday.
Rooney scored his 249th United goal in front of the watching Charlton as Jose Mourinho’s men strolled to victory, but Arsenal had to come from behind to win 2-1 at second-tier Preston North End.
Third- tier Millwall pulled off the day’s biggest shock by beating top-flight Bournemouth 3- 0, while Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion both fell to Championship opposition.
“It’s a proud moment, to do it at a massive club like Manchester United,” Rooney, 31, said after matching Charlton’s mark on his 543rd United appearance.
“To be up there with Sir Bobby in terms of goals is a huge honour. Hopefully I’ll be up there on my own soon.”
It was to prove a sorry return to Old Trafford for Reading manager Jaap Stam, the former United centre-back.
Rooney broke the deadlock in the seventh minute when he used his right knee to steer Juan Mata’s dinked cross past Reading goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.
He created United’s second goal in the 15th minute by playing a one-two with Anthony Martial, who stroked a cool effort into the bottom-right corner.
Marcus Rashford made the game safe with a late brace, his second goal stemming from an embarrassing miskick by Al Habsi.
United, who host Hull City in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final on Tuesday, have won eight successive games for the first time since 2009.
Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, FA Cup winners in 2014 and 2015, needed an 89th-minute Olivier Giroud goal to see off valiant Championship team Preston at a misty Deepdale.