Moyes tips Rooney to be Man Utd great

Manchester United boss David Moyes told striker Wayne Rooney he could become one of the club's "real greats" as he tried to persuade him to stay at Old Trafford during the transfer window.

Rooney, 27, became only the fourth player to score 200 United goals with his brace during the 4-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday after being linked with a summer move to Chelsea.

"It was something we made him aware of [over the summer]," said Moyes. "He has a real chance to be one of the all-time leading goal-scorers at this club."

The England striker was United's inspiration as they comfortably beat their German visitors, with Robin van Persie and Antonio Valencia also on target.

Rooney scored in each half to reach the milestone for a club he joined from Everton in 2004. - and only Sir Bobby Charlton (249), Denis Law (237) and Jack Rowley (211) have achieved the feat before.

"Wayne Rooney could join the real greats with his goal-scoring," added Moyes, who was making his managerial debut in the group stages of the Champions League.

"If he keeps playing like he did he will get there. He was very, very good.

"He looks like he is moving as well as he has done. He is in a good place himself at the moment and obviously any centre-forward who is scoring goals feels good about himself."

Rooney hopes to repay United's "brilliant" fans for their support this season after a summer of uncertainty.

"I am concentrating on my football. I have got my head down and worked hard. I am delighted with the way I have come back," he said after Tuesday's victory.

"It has gone quickly, my time here. I am really pleased to score 200 goals for a club like Manchester United. It's a great honour."

-BBC