Rooney tipped to hit 40

United star backed by team-mates to top Ronaldo haul

By Ben Collins   Last updated: 11th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rooney tipped to hit 40

Rooney: Congratulated after opener

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Wayne Rooney has been tipped to go from strength to strength this season after hitting the 30-goal mark.

The Manchester United striker reached the landmark with a brace in Wednesday's 4-0 UEFA Champions League win over AC Milan, his 35th start of the season.

Rooney's tally is already his best-ever for a season having eclipsed his previous best of 23 during the 2006/07 campaign.

And with nine league games left and United into the Champions League quarter-finals, the 24-year-old England man has now set his sights on topping the 42-goal haul ex-United star Cristiano Ronaldo managed in the 2007/08 season.

"If he keeps going the way he is then he definitely will," United midfielder Darren Fletcher told Sky Sports.

"I don't think Wayne's the type of player to pass up on this opportunity now, he's going to push on.

"He's a determined player and we hope he pushes on because we're still fighting for the Premier League and the Champions League.

Challenge

"Let's see if he can get to 40, and I'm sure the manager will keep challenging him as well."

United captain Gary Neville added: "Hopefully he can score every game until the end of the season but more importantly we hope he scores crucial goals that win us matches.

"His performances and goals have been fantastic for us and we need to keep him fit going into this run-in.

"It's a great moment for himself, the way he's playing. He's confident and he's scoring goals. We just need to keep him fit now and keep him out there."

AC Milan coach Leonardo has also hailed Rooney after seeing his side torn to shreds by the burly forward in continental competition.

Complete player

Wednesday's double made it 14 goals in 11 games for Rooney, with the England star scoring a glut of goals with his head, including the opener against Milan.

"He's reached his best level and he's one of the best players in the world at the moment," said Leonardo.

"This year he's scored a lot of goals in different ways, that's why I think he's the complete player - he's very strong, very fast.

"He's one of the best in the world, if not the best at the moment," he added.

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