Is 30-Goal Target Beyond Wayne Rooney at Manchester United?

Armed with a protective headband that would have made LeBron James proud, Wayne Rooney curled home an exquisite free-kick to put a seal on Manchester United’s 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

"More of the same" was the takeaway from Red Devils boss David Moyes’ post-match assessment of his striker.

According to Daniel Jones of the Metro, Moyes hasn't ruled out the possibility of Rooney scoring 30 goals this season:

"

I will try to do that. I think Wayne’s aim will be to do that as well. Hopefully we can make that happen.

The hope is that we get a partnership where folk are saying, ‘My goodness we are having to play against Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney’.

Everybody is looking to see if those two form a partnership that can score lots of goals.

"

It was only a matter of weeks ago that Rooney seemed to be on his way out of United, with talk of friction with Moyes and strong interest from Chelsea adding fuel to the fire.

Moyes was adamant throughout the transfer window that Rooney would not be sold, and the Scot was true to his word as United resisted all attempts to prise the striker away from Manchester.

Rooney’s first game following the closure of the transfer window saw him named Man of the Match by Sky Sports. It was well deserved as he was the shining light in an admittedly lacklustre display from United.

He could have had an assist had his strike partner Robin van Persie been sharper in front of goal, but it was Rooney’s goal that had Moyes purring with delight.

Despite being at Old Trafford for only a few months, Moyes knows all about Rooney, having brought the forward through the ranks at Everton before his departure to United in 2004.

And as motivational techniques go, stroking the ego of a player by saying 30 Premier League goals is an attainable target is not a bad one from Moyes.

But is it an achievable target?

History would say not.

Since making his Premier League debut in August 2002, Rooney has never hit 30 goals in a league season.

In the 2009/2010 campaign—arguably his finest season for the Red Devils as he was named Professional Footballers' Association and Football Writers' Association Player of the Year—he netted an impressive 26 goals, while he went one better in 2011/12.

During United’s march to the title last season, Rooney found the target on 12 occasions, but that was not a true reflection of his abilities as he was hampered by injury and often played in a deeper position.

Moyes has made it clear Rooney will be deployed as a forward this season. “I can only see Wayne playing up top and playing as a forward for us,” the Scot said, according to Graeme Bailey of Sky Sports. But whether or not he is played as a striker, 30 goals could be beyond Rooney.

Although that will not matter one iota provided the team deliver the title in Moyes’ first campaign at the helm.