Sir Alex Ferguson actually doubted Wayne Rooney as a goal-scoring striker

He may be on the verge of at least equalling England's goalscoring record, but Alex Ferguson claims he never saw Wayne Rooney as an "out and out goalscorer."

The Manchester United and England captain equalled Bobby Charlton's national team record of 49 goals when he scored against San Marino (and someone called 'Owen Goal', whoever that is). Rooney is also closing in on Charlton's United goalscoring record, with the 29-year-old needing just another 16 goals to equal the club legend's record of 249 goals. However, the man who brought him to Old Trafford in 2004 for £28 million from Everton, says he never saw Rooney as a striker. "We thought more of him as a footballer," Ferguson says in an interview with ITV Sport. "We didn't reckon that he was an absolute out-and-out goalscorer. "The evidence wasn't there for that, he was an outstanding footballer and that was the reason we wanted him." Ferguson's view contradicts that of current United manager, Louis van Gaal, who has made Rooney the club's undisputed centre-forward, and the player himself. "My best position, and I have always said it, is as a striker,"Rooney said back in July. "The two seasons I have really done that as a lone striker are my two best goalscoring seasons. So hopefully if I play up there again this season then I can score the goals." No wonder the two fell out during Ferguson final days at Old Trafford. H/T Irish Independent.