David Moyes has insisted that Wayne Rooney can become a 'true Manchester United legend' after the striker signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract.
The England international ended months of speculation by putting pen to paper on a £300,000-per-week deal which commits him to the Red Devils until 2019.
Moyes believes that he has secured the long-term services of the best player in England and is "thrilled" that Rooney has decided to perform a leading role in his rebuilding job at Old Trafford.
By the time that the 28-year-old has finished his United career, Moyes feels that he is likely to have broken Bobby Charlton's goalscoring record and will be considered one of the club's all-time greats.
"Wayne has been the best player in England since I put him into the Everton first team in 2003," a Moyes statement on the club's official website read. "Since becoming United manager in July last year, I have enjoyed working with him and seeing just how he has developed his incredible talent.
"With his ability, his experience and his desire to succeed, he is a vital part of my plans for the future and I'm absolutely thrilled he has accepted the challenge.
"I said last July that Wayne has an outstanding chance to be a true legend of this club's long and rich history. He is just 42 goals away from overtaking Sir Bobby as our record goalscorer and becoming the first United player to hit 250 goals for the club. These opportunities only come to special players and I'm confident Wayne will set a new record that will take decades to reach."
Rooney's previous contract expired at the end of next season and United rejected two offers from Chelsea for his services in the summer. He joined from Everton, then managed by Moyes, for £30m in 2004.
Joe Fish
