Wayne Rooney believes he should have scored more goals in his career but also admits that he is not a natural goalscorer.
The Derby County player is the record goalscorer for Manchester United (253) and England (53) but it isn't finding the net that Rooney enjoys most about playing football.
The former United forward has been writing about the art of goalscoring in his latest column for the Sunday Times.
"I’m going to be honest — and this might surprise you — but I’m not a natural goalscorer," writes Rooney.
"I was never a Gary Lineker or a Ruud van Nistelrooy; I never looked at myself that way.
"I hold the goal records for Manchester United and England and am very proud about that — yet there have been better No 9s than me."
The man who exploded onto the Premier League stage as a teenager back in 2002 with Everton has scored some of the most memorable goals in the English top-flight.
However he gets more joy from setting his team-mates up to find the net.
"I always wanted to score but I’ve always loved the game more than the individual stuff," adds Rooney.
"My favourite players to watch were those like Paul Scholes and Xavi and I get more joy out of splitting a defence with a pass than from any goals I’ve scored myself.
"One of my favourite moments, for instance, was Robin van Persie’s strike versus Aston Villa when United won the title in 2012-13.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVN_3elRN5M
"I found him from inside our half and he beat Brad Guzan with a beautiful volley and the best thing was that Robin and I had actually worked on that move before the game because we knew Villa's centre-backs liked to push up."
Rooney overtook legendary United and England player Bobby Charlton to achieve both the club and international scoring records.
He admits that time was on his side but that he left goals behind him as well.
"How did I become a record-breaker if I wasn't a natural scorer? Time. I played for United for 13 years, England for 15 years. I had time to break those records - and looking back I should have scored more.
"I don't think it will take long for Harry Kane to claim my England record and it would be a proud moment for me.
"I've never been a selfish player and it would be great for England for Harry to get there. Bobby Charlton had to wait 50 years - I hope it's not so long for me."
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