Wayne Rooney became Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer in Europe after netting in the 4-0 victory over Feyenoord which keeps his side’s Europa League hopes alive.
Rooney’s 35th-minute strike at Old Trafford — which was followed by him assisting Juan Mata for the second — took his tally for United in European competition up to 39 goals, surpassing Ruud van Nistelrooy’s previous best of 38, while he is now just one goal off Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time scoring record for United.
United, who would have been knocked out of the competition with a defeat, now head into next month’s final group game with Zorya Luhansk knowing a point will be enough to book their place in the round of 32.
Jose Mourinho’s team started the brighter against Feyenoord and created the game’s first chance after two minutes, with Paul Pogba heading a cross just over the bar.
Pogba was soon involved again, seeing a strike tipped over by former Liverpool keeper Brad Jones, before the Australian denied Michael Carrick’s long-range effort a few moments later.
Feyenoord created their first opportunity in the 26th minute, with Rick Karsdorp having his shot saved by Sergio Romero, before the United keeper then pulled off an even better stop to turn ex-Liverpool man Dirk Kuyt’s strike wide.
United found the breakthrough nine minutes later, with Rooney making United history when drinking the ball over Jones after being played in on goal by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Mata nearly made it two for the hosts shortly after the restart, attempting to chip the ball from the edge of the area over Jones, who was able to get back and tip over the bar.
Mata was soon involved again for United and had the ball in the back of the net following Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s pass, but the flag had already gone up for offside.
Mkhitaryan, making his first start for United since September, nearly got in on the act himself, darting into the box before firing an effort into the side-netting.
Rooney turned provider on 69 minutes, receiving the ball from Ibrahimovic before laying the ball across to Mata, who had an empty goal to aim at to double United’s lead.
Ibrahimovic could have made it three just moments later, but the striker was denied by a good save from Jones.It was three by the 75th minute with Ibrahimovic involved again, this time the Swede attempted to pull the ball back across the six-yard box only for it to go in off Jones for an own goal.
United continued to push for another as time ticked away and substitute Jesse Lingard, who had been denied twice in quick succession by Jones, found one at the death, curling a strike into the bottom corner of the net.
