It was back in 2011-12 when Wayne Rooney last passed the 20+ goals mark in the English Premier League, but according to the Manchester United captain, he is nowhere yet near the end of his illustrious career, despite his 30th birthday being just around the corner.
The English striker, who’ll turn 30 this Saturday, has only three goals and zero assists in 10 appearances in all competition, a drop in form which has seen many of the Red Devils faithful plead with coach Louis Van Gaal to axe the Three Lions ace from the starting XI, yet the striker still feels a lot of years await him.
"I physically feel good and obviously it is a big birthday in any person's life, your 30th birthday," said England’s all-time record goalscorer, speaking ahead of the English giants tricky trip to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.
"But in terms of me and football I … feel I am still young enough and that I have a lot of years ahead of me.
"I have had no major muscle injuries and I think us, as players now, we have all the support of the sports science and all the guys to help us in terms of preparation, training and games.
"So I think it is still a fairly young age and hopefully I have got a lot of years to come. I feel fitter and fresher than I ever have done really, so for me it is just a number.
"Obviously it is a big number in terms of birthdays, but in terms of me and my football career it is not important. Players in the past have known when the time is right to finish playing and I am certainly nowhere near that stage.
"When the time comes I'm sure I will know and I will have to assess the situation then, but it is something which I have not even thought about."
With United set to face CSKA Moscow on Wednesday, Rooney needs only a goal to move level with Denis Law as the club’s second-highest scorer, with 237 goals, and is 13 short of Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time record of 249 strikes.
The United captain spoke of the importance of etching his name into the goalscoring record books at Old Trafford, saying:
"Yeah, of course that is important.
"He is such a huge player in the club's history so hopefully that can happen. I have got a lot of time. I am sure one day I will reach it, hopefully sooner rather than later."
