Ranking the Best Seasons of Wayne Rooney's Manchester United Career | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Another 41 goals will see the England striker pass Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 249. A strong end to this season, and a good campaign next year, could see him top the list of United goalscorers in the next 12 months.

At 28 years old, he is already in good company. Currently fourth on the list, he is joined in the top 10 by Old Trafford legends like Charlton, Denis Law, George Best, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

But by the time Rooney finally leaves, he could have topped them all.

Rooney's United career has not always been plain sailing. Some seasons, in particular 2008-09 and 2010-11, were disrupted by injury.

Others—2010-11 and, to a certain extent, this season—have been overshadowed by contract wrangles. On both occasions, there were times when it looked like he might leave Old Trafford. But, both times, he was convinced to stay with the help of a bumper new deal.

Since signing for United from Everton as an 18-year-old in 2004, Rooney has seen plenty of change.

In nine-and-a-half years he has seen great players come and go. He has also seen Sir Alex Ferguson retire.

But the one constant of Rooney's United career, through all the ups and downs, has been that he's always been at his best when the team has needed him most.

Here's a list of Rooney's top three seasons in a United shirt, with weight given to the goals he scored, how important they were and what they meant.

As always, feel free to use the comments section below to add your own thoughts on Rooney's career thus far.