Fergie sets 40-goal target for Rooney

[sportsbot]

Sir Alex Ferguson has challenged Wayne Rooney to break the 40-goal barrier after his double put Manchester United back on top of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over West Brom.

Rooney took his tally for the season to 26 at Old Trafford on Sunday with a well-taken first half goal and a second half penalty, awarded for a push on Ashley Young by Keith Andrews.

That leaves the England striker - who has nine goals in his last six appearances - just eight short of his previous highest total for an entire campaign, recorded in the 2009/10 season.

But United manager Ferguson is hoping Rooney can reach 40 as United attempt to retain the English title - they lead Manchester City by one point - and also stay in the UEFA Europa League, the competition in which they must overturn a 3-2 first leg deficit at Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.

"As long as he gets to 40 I'll be absolutely delighted because we are in business then. He's on a hot streak - he does these things," Ferguson said. "The first goal was fantastic. I thought he was offside he was so far clear but the timing of the run was fantastic and a really good finish."

fifa.com