Wayne Rooney has already secured his place as a Manchester United legend, claims manager David Moyes

Rooney's double against West Ham has moved him just 38 goals shy of Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 249 goals for Manchester United and Moyes believes Rooney has already secured his own legacy

Wayne Rooney scores from 58 yards to put Manchester United 1-0 up against West Ham (Getty Images)

David Moyes feels that Wayne Rooney has already secured his legacy as a Manchester United legend, despite being just 28 years of age.

Rooney is being linked with taking the captain’s armband when Nemanja Vidic leaves the club for Inter Milan in the summer, and despite twice pushing for a move away from Old Trafford, the striker appears much happier this season playing under his former Everton manager.

The England international had a public falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson at the end of last season, leading to increased speculation that he would leave the club amid intense interest from Chelsea that transpired into two official bids for his services.

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However, United rejected any approach for their prize asset, and have since tied down Rooney’s future in the form of a lucrative five-year contract extension worth an incredible £300,000-a-week.

Rooney’s return to his best was marked by a stunning 58-metre effort that left West Ham goalkeeper Adrian baffled on Saturday evening, with the stand-in United captain adding a second soon after to see the Red Devils home 2-0.

And Moyes, who has responded to pressure surrounding his future with wins over Olympiakos and West Ham, believes that Rooney is already a legend due to his goal tally for the club falling just 38 goals short of the record holder Sir Bobby Charlton.

“If you are third top scorer of a club like Manchester United you already are a legend,” Moyes told reporters in recognition of Rooney’s 212 strikes for the club since joining in 2004.

“As long as he doesn't pick up any serious injuries he has a real good chance of breaking Denis Law's and Sir Bobby Charlton's records and that would be some feat.

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“His form throughout the season has been very good and his goal against West Ham capped it all off. He showed what he is about and he has a big energy back again.

“Everyone who knew Wayne Rooney in his early days would say one of the biggest things about him was that he had big energy and a big heart and if you get Wayne playing like that then the rest of his football takes care of itself.”

Moyes will be hoping that Rooney can produce another star-showing in Tuesday’s Manchester derby against title contenders Manchester City, with the memories of the 4-1 defeat earlier in the season still fresh in the minds of all of those at United.