Will Wayne Rooney Hold the New Record for One-Season Goals in England?

Wayne Rooney, where did it go right?

Wayne Rooney always had undoubted class. During the Ronaldo era he was forced to play a supporting role to the then CR7, he told the world he was better as a CF.

With Ronaldo gone, Alex Ferguson decided to turn to his striker-cum winger, then made gave him his wish, a central role. While many have written of Manchester United as favorites(they aren't), Rooney has struggled to prove the doubters wrong, especially in a league where you have Didier Drogba scoring for fun.

So far, he has managed to score 23 goals in 27 games.The record being 31 from Alan Shearer and former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Keep in mind Rooney needs nine goals to be the sole record holder and eight to tie with Ronaldo and Alan Shearer as mentioned above.

Hence the question, will he conquer England?

Let's look at the major reasons that could make or break his record-chasing season.

Fixture List

(a) vs Wolves

(h) vs Fulham

(h) vs Liverpool

(a) vs Bolton Wanderers

(h) vs Chelsea

(a) vs Blackburn Rovers

(a) vs Manchester City

(h) vs Tottenham

(a) vs Sunderland

(h) vs Stoke City

With the above fixture list we could say this feat is achievable for Rooney. With not many "big teams" left, ties like Wolves, Bolton, Blackburn and Sunderland could see Rooney score at least seven goals if he works hard. Games like Liverpool and Chelsea haven't produced goals from Rooney in a while, so those games might be ruled out.

The Manchester Derby already has two goals in three games, Rooney will be looking to make it three from four or a 100 percent four all.

Tottenham might concede a Rooney goal, if Manchester make it to the UEFA Champions League final, he might miss the Stoke game.

Team Player and Work Rate

Whether you believe it or not, Wayne Rooney's performances have been a function of his team-mates supply, performance and ability.

The perfect example has been Rooney's most recent games against Arsenal, AC Milan, West Ham and Everton.

During the Arsenal game, Nani was immense due to poor defending on Arsenal's part and Rooney scored one from a brilliant counter well executed by Nani.

Fast forward to the AC Milan game, Nani became a "youtube" player, fancy tricks and cute passes resulting to inaccuracies and sky-high crosses.

Enter Valencia, the winger has been a key addition to the team. He may be no Ronaldo, but the winger has been efficient and has created chances at ease.

During the AC Milan game, he was brought on for Nani, he took three touches and set-up Rooney who headed past Dida.

During the game against West Ham, Valencia was on form and Rooney notched two. Credit has to also go to Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and the hard-working Patrice Evra.

Injury

Teammates, fixture list, and even form mean nothing when a player doesn't grace the pitch. Therefore, it is key that Rooney stays fir in order to claim a the ultimate price as long as guide Manchester United to a third successive Premier League title.

The Numbers Game

All stats relative to the Premier League

Rooney has 23 goals in 27 games, 85 percent.

He has scored five goals in 11 games against top 10 sides, 45 percent.

Shot accuracy, 31 shots on goal from 155 total shots, 32 percent.

Shots per game, 5.7.

Shots on goal per game, 1.8.

Rooney has started all 27 games.

In all, if Rooney fails to break the record, it is fair to say that this season, he has all but established himself as one of the world best strikers as Ferguson has told the press times without number.

If Wayne Rooney breaks the record, he will then write his name permanently in English Football History, just like the great Alan Shearer and former "FIFA World player of the year" Ronaldo. A feat like this could propel Rooney to greater heights and earn him the much coveted "best player in the world".