By Canadian Press

Watched by Charlton, Rooney ties record as United top scorer

Jan 7, 2017 | 6:30 AM

MANCHESTER, England — Wayne Rooney became Manchester United’s joint leading scorer of all time when he scored his 249th goal for the club on Saturday in the FA Cup third-round 4-0 win over Reading.

Rooney struck in the seventh minute at Old Trafford to equal the mark set by Bobby Charlton, who was watching the game.

“To do it at such a massive club like Manchester United, I am hugely honoured and it is really proud moment for me,” said Rooney, who is the record scorer for England’s national team.

Rooney was making his 543rd United appearance — 215 fewer games than Charlton.

Both Charlton and Alex Ferguson, the manager who brought Rooney to Old Trafford 13 years earlier, were seen smiling among spectators after the goal.

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The 31-year-old Rooney, who joined United as an 18-year-old prodigy from Everton, turned in Juan Mata’s cross, having missed a great chance to score inside the first two minutes.

Rooney then turned provider as United, the defending cup champion, scored a second goal to lead 2-0 at halftime. Rooney set up Anthony Martial to fire past Reading goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi, who was beaten twice more by Marcus Rashford in the second half.

The Associated Press