Rooney can break all United's goalscoring records, says Law

The Manchester United legend Denis Law has tipped Wayne Rooney to obliterate his Old Trafford scoring records.

The Manchester United legend Denis Law has tipped Wayne Rooney to obliterate his Old Trafford scoring records.

Law was the ultimate United marksman and is still widely acclaimed as "The King" for his amazing goalscoring feats.

While Ruud van Nistelrooy has now overtaken his long-standing record of 28 goals in European competition, the proud Scottish striker still holds the club record of 46 goals in a season and also the United record of 18 hat-tricks.

Law knows the 18-year-old's startling hat-trick against Fenerbahce on Tuesday night will go down in Manchester United folklore as one of the most stunning debuts of all time.

But Law is not expecting the £27m striker signed from Everton to stop there. By the end of his career, the England international will have become the best of his generation, as Law was in his time.

"Rooney can do the lot," Law said. "He will eventually have all the United goalscoring records. He has the ability and goal power to beat my 18 hat-tricks, and as for my 46 in a season, I don't see any reason why he can't overtake that one day either."

A fierce patriot, Law famously ignored his United team-mate Nobby Stiles as they lined up in the tunnel ahead of one Home International against England and went out playing golf on the day Sir Alf Ramsey's side won the World Cup in 1966.

But Rooney's nationality does not stop the Aberdonian from admiring his talent and, having watched the teenager perform for England in this summer's European Championship, Law is in no doubt that Sir Alex Ferguson has acquired a very special talent.

"The game against Fenerbahce was just like England in Euro 2004 with Rooney in the side," he said. "Every time he got the ball there was a buzz of expectation from the crowd, the opposition defenders started to look in a bit of panic and there was always danger threatening.

"Whenever Wayne got the ball in Portugal for England, it looked like something was going to happen. That is the kind of player he is."

Bryan Robson, who had a 13-year career at Old Trafford, was also full of praise. "He has such terrific ability and reading of the game. His performance on Tuesday was one of the most exciting United debuts I have seen," Robson said.

"Nothing seems to faze him, He will have to control himself, make sure he takes everything in his stride and not let things go to his head. But I think he can do that. Wayne is very strong and he has outstanding ability. He is playing with top players and they can help develop him into an even better player. It's very exciting for Manchester United and for England."