EPL: Wayne Rooney beats Bobby Charlton as United’s top scorer

Wayne Rooney became Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer as his last-ditch wonder goal rescued a 1-1 draw at Stoke.

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and the man he surpassed Bobby Charlton.

Wayne Rooney became Manchester United’s all time leading goalscorer as his last-ditch wonder goal rescued a 1-1 draw at Stoke, while Pep Guardiola’s problems mounted as Tottenham came from two down to force a 2-2 draw at Manchester City.

Rooney surpassed Bobby Charlton’s tally of 249 goals for United when he struck with a ­superb effort deep into stoppage time at the Britannia Stadium.

The 250th goal of his glittering United career was just the 31-year-old’s fifth of a difficult season and came as a timely ­reminder of the striker’s class after he was relegated to the role of a fringe player for long periods this term.

It was also much needed by United, who had fallen behind in the 19th minute when Juan Mata deflected Erik Pieters’s shot into his own net.

Jose Mourinho sent on Rooney in the 67th minute and the Eng­land star, who had gone two games without a goal since equalling Charlton’s record in an FA Cup win over Reading on January 7, wasted his first chance to make history when he headed wide from six metres.

But Rooney refused to be ­denied and, with Charlton watching from the stands, his magic ­moment arrived four minutes into stoppage time when he curled a superb free-kick past Stoke goalkeeper Lee Grant and into the top corner.

Charlton saluted Rooney’s achievement, saying: “I can honestly say I’m delighted for Wayne. He deserves his place in the history books. He is a true great for club and country.”

At Eastlands, City took the lead in the 49th minute when Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris raced off his line in a failed bid to intercept Kevin de Bruyne’s pass, ­allowing Leroy Sane to steer his shot into the empty net.

Lloris was culpable again five minutes later as he spilt Raheem Sterling’s cross and Kevin De Bruyne punished the mistake with a simple finish.

But Dele Alli sparked Spurs’ revival with a close-range header in the 58th minute and Son Heung-Min swept home to complete the comeback in the 77th minute.

AFP